Coach cited for assaulting child on Las Vegas swim team known for training Olympians

LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — A coach for a team known for training Olympic athletes received a citation for assault after a violent outburst against a swimmer, according to records obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators. The Las Vegas Department of Public Safety cited Juan Morales, 24, after witnesses reported that he became irate, began yelling and threw a Stanley cup at a child’s head.

Morales was a coach for the Sandpipers of Nevada, known for training U.S. Olympians like Katie Grimes and Claire Weinstein.

The alleged incident occurred at the Durango Hills YMCA on Oct. 3.

The 12-year-old girl declined medical attention and stated the Stanley cup hit her bun, the officer reported. Her father told an officer he wanted to press charges after other parents advised him of a similar incident three days prior, according to the case report.

Morales told an officer he was giving the students instructions, they didn’t listen, he became irate and “retaliated” with the students, the report stated.

Morales admitted he was out of line, denied throwing anything and stated he “kicked” a Stanley cup “towards the other side of the deck,” according to the report.

The girl told an officer she “splashed Morales with water and he began throwing her belongings at her.”

She said she splashed Morales since he had put his foot in her face jokingly the day prior, the report stated.

A lifeguard reported that when the girl jokingly splashed Morales with water, he went “nuts.”

The officer issued a misdemeanor criminal citation for assault and destruction of private property.

The 8 News Now Investigators reached out to the Sandpipers of Nevada.

“The Sandpipers of Nevada expect that all of its coaches at all times serve as role models for their swimmers both in and out of the pool,” Coach Ronald Aitken of USA Swimming wrote in an email. “Any allegation of inappropriate behavior by any coach is taken very seriously and is thoroughly investigated. However, we cannot comment on any particular personnel matter as this information involves the employee’s right of privacy and is strictly confidential.”

The 8 News Now Investigators also obtained a letter sent to parents and guardians.

“Coach Juan has been removed from our staff, effective immediately,” Aitken wrote in the letter. “The behavior of Juan last night was unacceptable from one of our staff members and is not a reflection of the standards that we hold our staff to on the Sandpipers of Nevada.”

Oct. 4 practice was canceled, according to the letter.

“My apologies that this incident occurred, and I promise that we will move forward positively and promptly to give your kids a great experience on our team,” Aitken wrote.

Morales is scheduled to appear in Las Vegas Municipal Court on Dec. 2.

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