Pennsylvania Coach Accused of Sex with Student

(Bangor, Pennsylvania) A 29-year-old volunteer volleyball coach formerly at Pius X High School, Stephanie Merlo, has been accused of engaging in sex with a 17-year-old female student.

Merlo faces counts of institutional sexual assault and corruption of minors.

State police at Belfast began an investigation into sexual allegations on Nov. 8 when two unidentified people came to the barracks requesting to speak to the criminal investigations unit. The two people said they were concerned about a Pius X student because they believed she was having sex and doing drugs with an older woman who coached at the school, identifying her only as "Coach Steph."

Five days later, state police spoke to the school's principal and athletic director and identified "Coach Steph" as Merlo, an unpaid volunteer volleyball coach.[…]

The victim said she played volleyball for the school and during the season became friendly with Merlo. They exchanged phone numbers and talked regularly and, when the season ended, their relationship evolved and they became intimate. The victim said she and Merlo kissed and sexually touched each other. She said they had sexual intercourse and used sex toys.

Merlo was booked and released on $75,000 bail.