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| Updated: 8/28/2012 4:56 pm |
Published: 8/28/2012 3:55 pm |
TEXARKANA, Ark. (AP) - A former youth baseball coach pleaded not guilty to transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to have sex, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Walter Richard Roberts, 61, of Texarkana was taken back into custody after a brief court appearance during which he entered the not guilty plea. He's due back in court Sept. 4 for a detention hearing.
Prosecutors said Roberts was a youth baseball coach from 1986 through 1994.
An indictment alleges Roberts transported a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in sexual activity in the late '80s. The indictment doesn't specify the minor's age or gender.
Craig Henry, a Texarkana lawyer listed for Roberts in court records, didn't immediately return a phone message. A woman who answered the phone number listed for Walter R. Roberts told a reporter they didn't have anything to say and then hung up.
Prosecutors said that from 1986 to 1989, Roberts coached 9- to 11-year-old boys who played on the Texarkana, Ark., youth baseball team sponsored by Dox Sporting Goods. From 1989 through 1991, he coached 11- to 14-year-old boys on the Texarkana, Ark., youth baseball team sponsored by Pepsi, prosecutors said. Throughout those years, from 1986 through 1994, Roberts also served as a coach for the Texarkana, Arkansas All-Star Tournament youth baseball team for boys ages 9 through 14.
Prosecutors said if Roberts is convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
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