Additional Charges Brought Against Soccer Coach

Montgomery County Police have now added two additional counts of sexual abuse to a minor and two counts of 4th degree sexual offense on top of existing charges for a soccer coach from Takoma Park arrested on September 30th. 

Roger Misael Fernandez was arrested on charges of sexual abuse to a minor and 4th degree sexual offense. He is currently being held on a $100,000 bond. 

A second victim came forward on October 1st in response to the initial arrest. Fernandez allegedly touched the 17-year-old in February and March 2010, at the Real Maryland DC Soccer Club offices in Wheaton and at a Gaithersburg hotel. As a result, police have charged Fernandez with additional counts of sexual abuse to a minor and 4th degree sexual offense.

A soccer coach since 1993, Fernandez recently volunteered with Northwood High School. According to Athletic Director Marco Fugitti, Fernandez had started volunteering at Northwood this school year. He directed all other inquiries to Montgomery County Schools. 

Police spokesman Paul Starkes said none of the incidents had occurred on Northwood's campus. 

Real Maryland FC Soccer Club, which has both youth and pro soccer teams, posted on their website that they had "cut all ties" with Fernandez and were working with the the police to investigate. 

Existing members of Real Maryland will be reassigned to Fernandez's duties as coach, which included traveling and coaching along the east coast.