Hockey coach accused of sex abuse in NJ and Del.
WOODBURY, N.J. (WPVI) -- A man who served as a youth hockey coach has been arrested on sex abuse charges for incidents in both New Jersey and Delaware.
Police accuse 55-year-old Walter "Tracy" Ferinden of sexual abuse, dating back to the 1980's and 90's.
"Although the reported incidents occurred almost 30 years ago the law echoes the sentiments of the community that these types of terrible crimes which violate public trust should be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," said Ofc. JP Piser of New Castle County Police.
Police say he had sexual contact with a 12-year-old boy during the summer of 1994 in Deptford, N.J., and the incident allegedly took place in Ferinden's apartment.
He is charged with two second degree counts of sexual contact in that case.
Ferinden is also charged with nine counts of second degree unlawful sexual contact with minors in New Castle, Delaware. Police there say there were at least two victims there.
Investigators say through the 90's and as recently as 2010, Ferinden coach hockey and conducted skating clinics in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York and Vermont.
Locally, he held clinics at the Hollydell Ice Arena in Washington Township. No one would talk on camera, but workers tell Action News was never employed there, or had contact with their students. They say he only rented the rink to hold skating clinics.
We did confirm Ferinden once coached at the Skating Club of Wilmington, Delaware. Assistant Manager, Dot Gualtieri, says Ferinden once coached her son.
"I knew he was being investigated last year. The FBI came to my house, my son, and asked him a lot of questions. They came down here and they went to all the other rinks too," she said.
He was charged with nine counts of second-degree unlawful sexual contact. He was arraigned and released after posting $25,000 secured bail.
Detectives say there may be more victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Escheman at (302) 395-2745 or email JCEscheman@nccde.org.
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