Wisconsin high school football coach accused of sexually assaulting student in weight room
02/03/2022 2:04 pm PST
BALSAM LAKE, Wis. (TCD) -- A 34-year-old high school football coach allegedly sexually assaulted a female student in the weight room.
According to court documents obtained by WEAU-TV, a teenage student at Frederic High School reported the sexual assault on Jan. 28. The alleged assault happened in June 2021 in the weight room of the high school where the suspect, Ben Chenal, was employed. WQOW-TV reports the victim told authorities Chenal assaulted her before the school day.
Chenal was reportedly arrested on Jan. 31 and charged with sexual assault of a student by school staff on Feb. 1. According to WQOW, Chenal was also released from jail Feb. 1. He is reportedly ordered not to make contact with anyone under 18 who is not family and must stay away from the Frederic School District.
WEAU reports Chenal was placed on administrative suspension by the school district for inappropriate contact with a student.
Frederic School District Superintendent Josh Robinson told WEAU, "We take these allegations seriously. That is why we placed him on administrative leave as soon as we were notified."
Chenal was reportedly the school district’s middle school football coach in 2015, and in 2018, he became the high school coach.
Chenal is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 22, WEAU reports.
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