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Kirkland Shipley, 48, pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual abuse of a secondary education student and possession of a sexual performance by a minor on Friday, June 3, according to the Department of Justice.
Shipley was arrested for sexually abusing at least two minors on Aug. 21, 2021. At the time of the abuse he was the girls' head coach as well as their History teacher.
The first known victim was abused by Shipley from 2009-2013. Shipley began contacting the victim on GChat about rowing matters, eventually escalating into more personal and explicit topics.
Shipley began having sex with the victim shortly after her graduation 2013 when she was 17 years old and continued the abuse until she began college that fall, authorities said. During this time Shipley knowingly possessed sexual images of the minor victim and sent her photos and videos of himself masturbating.
The second known victim was abused by Shipley from 2014-2018 Shipley continued the same pattern of abuse with this victim beginning with texting her about rowing and personal matters.
The second victim was sexually abused by Shipley at his home on at least two occasions while she was 17 years old before her graduation in May 2018.
Shipley was released from custody with an order to stay away from all current and former students and athletes. Sentencing is scheduled for September 9, 2022. As part of his sentence, Shipley will be required to register for the rest of his life as a sex offender.
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