Former Nelson coach admits to relationship with teen

A former Nelson County track coach has admitted he had sex with a 16-year-old girl.

Richard Seely Noles, 23, pleaded guilty Tuesday to taking indecent liberties with a child by a person in a custodial or supervisory relationship. Circuit Judge Paul M. Peatross Jr. accepted Noles’ plea, which was made as part of a plea agreement in Charlottesville Circuit Court.

Noles, who lives in the city, said in court he was pleading guilty in his “best interests.”

Noles was a coach for Nelson County High School and a special education teacher during the 2008-09 school year. Elizabeth Killeen, assistant commonwealth’s attorney, said in court that Noles formed a friendship with a then-16-year-old student, striking up a social relationship that included late-night phone calls.

It was not clear if Noles was the girl’s teacher or coach. Killeen said in court that the girl came over to Noles’ Charlottesville apartment, where they had sex.

Noles resigned from the school in February after being charged with computer solicitation of a juvenile in Nelson. Authorities haven’t said if the victim in the Nelson case is the same as the one in the city case. Noles is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Oct. 22 in Nelson’s Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

Under the plea agreement in Charlottesville, a second count of indecent liberties won’t be prosecuted and there is no agreement as to the sentence. Noles will face up to five years in prison when he is sentenced April 7.

Defense attorney John Luxton said in court that Noles didn’t have a criminal record before this incident and had been cooperative with police. After court, Luxton said his client was a “nice kid” who got himself into a “bewildering, sad situation.”

Noles remains out on bond.

Kates is a staff writer for The Daily Progress in Charlottesville.