61°
Owings resident Moshe Michael Imel, 53, a former assistant football coach at a Calvert County high school, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after admitting to taking advantage of his position to terrorize some of his players earlier this year.
According to his plea agreement, in March 2021, two victims came forward to report that beginning when Imel coached them in a youth football program, and continuing through high school, he groomed and then sexually abused them.
Specifically, Imel admitted that he directed each minor to expose and touch himself in a sexual way and ultimately engaged in sexual contact with them on multiple occasions.
He also created sexually explicit videos of the victims documenting his abuse, which were later recovered by investigators.
During the investigation, a search warrant was executed at Imel’s Maryland home, where they found a basement ripped out of a "To Catch a Predator" special that matched the description of that provided by the young victims.
Prosecutors said that the basement included action figures lining the walls, a computer setup, multiple cameras, sex toys, and other paraphernalia.
A subsequent review of 14 electronic devices seized at Imel’s home also led to the discovery of child porn or evidence of his sexual abuse with minors on each.
He has been detained since.
Imel pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography involving two minor victims.
As part of his agreement to the federal charges, Imel also agreed to plead guilty to charges related to the sexual abuse of minors in three cases in Calvert County.
Want breaking news in the DMV as it happens, or want to contribute? Join the DMV All Incidents Facebook group.
Click here to follow Daily Voice St. Mary's and receive free news updates.
