Former Flagler County soccer coach turns himself in on molestation charges

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — A 35-year-old former traveling soccer coach charged with molesting two boys in Flagler County has turned himself in, investigators said.

Sean Douglas Stern is charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation as an authority figure of a school, Flagler County deputies said.

The former traveling soccer coach has ties to Flagler County and statewide, deputies said.

Stern’s accused of molesting two boys between the ages of 12 and 16, deputies said.

Detectives said that the incidents happened several times at several locations throughout the county, between January 2015 and April 2016.

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Flagler County deputies issued a warrant for Stern’s arrest Oct. 19.

The investigation into Stern began in April after he was fired from a Palm Coast soccer school called Professional Sports Pathways, which has since closed, deputies said.

An employee at the school told deputies he was suspicious of the molestation allegations and fired Stern. Stern later moved to Seattle.

"He did a lot of coaching. He's affiliated with a lot of people," said Cmdr. Jim Troiano of the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.

Stern has also coached youth programs at the Player Development Academy, a soccer club in Palm Coast and at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach.

"There's a lot yet that we're going to find out as this investigation unfolds. We're really at the very early part of this," said Troiano.

Investigators said they believe there could be a lot of other victims because Stern worked with more than 10 youth soccer programs, which played at locations throughout the county, such as, Matanzas High School in Palm Coast and Embry Riddle's summer camp in Daytona Beach.

In addition, he has worked for, or is possibly affiliated with the following soccer organizations: Jacksonville Armada, FC United, West Ham International Academy and Pure FC. He has ties to soccer programs throughout Florida, as well as in Texas and North Carolina.

The Sheriff’s Office urges anyone whose male child participated in soccer programs with Stern to talk to their children and find out whether they have been victimized, or who might have vital information about Stern.

All information about Stern should be provided to FCSO Detective Fuentes at (386) 586-4890.

Detectives are also seeking any information on Stern that the public may have. Callers can remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at (888) 277-8477 (TIPS).

Embry-Riddle released a statement about Stern:

"Sean Douglas Stern was a volunteer soccer coach with Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus Men’s Soccer Team from 2012 to 2014. He was not employed by the university and did not travel with the team. Stern was contracted by the Embry-Riddle Athletic Department to help assist with a one-week youth soccer summer day camp program in June 2014. The summer camp was overseen and supervised at all times by the athletic staff at Embry-Riddle.

The statement continues, saying, "There were no reports from participants or parents of any problematic behavior during the summer camp. Stern did undergo a background check prior to his association with Embry-Riddle, and there were no issues identified."

Cox Media Group