You can share this story by using your social accounts: Copyright 2023 The Crime Victims Center, Judge refuses plea agreement for Durham gymnastics coach facing child sex charges, Schedule On Site Prevention Programs with Agency Staff, Online Free Classroom for Adults and Mature Teens, Voices for Victims (Survivor Advisory Board), National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW), Megans Law & the Adam Walsh Protection Act, # of Registrants Reported by State/Territory, Victim Services for People with Disabilities, SEX OFFENDERS AND OTHERS IN POSITIONS OF TRUST, Cobb man receives double life sentence for sex crimes against three, SC man on bail in Lancaster charged with sending child sex videos on internet, records show, 28-year-old man, a registered sex offender, had sex with teen he met on Snapchat, police say, EXCLUSIVE: Grandsons of identical twin brothers who started Americas most inbred family were both convicted of sex crimes against children and failed to register as offenders after being jailed for their assaults, Seaford Man Sentenced to Jail and 10 Years Probation as Sex Offender for Deepfaked Sexual Images. We believe that survivors deserve justice and understand the challenges they face. After nearly two years, the accusers said are hopeful the case will be settled soon. Previous to Stephen's current city of Chapel Hill, NC, Stephen Maness lived in Walkertown NC and Durham NC. Dog and cat antibiotics are medications prescribed by a veterinarian that can help treat a bacterial infection. Coroner: 14-year-old killed in Horry Co. bar shooting, Florence man, FL woman sentenced in pandemic fraud, 1 of 2 brothers shot in NC dies; suspect sought, Man missing since February in Darlington County, $1M Powerball ticket bought in NC expiring soon, Cat that loves Taylor Swift music up for adoption, UAE Mars orbiter snaps epic photo of Martian moon, Is my money safe? Maness faces three counts of felony indecent liberties with a child and three counts sexual battery. After an investigation by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, Maness was deemed ineligible to be a member of USA Gymnastics. Stephen Maness, 41, was booked into jail and released on Dec. 15 following a court appearance in which his attorney asked a judge to enforce a plea offer that prosecutors have withdrawn. We seek the help of local organizations in referring qualified applicants to our station. Since then, prosecutors have withdrawn the plea deal entirely. The governing body has a toll-free number dedicated to reporting or discussing sexual misconduct in USA Gymnastics, which is 833-844-SAFE. Sunny skies, cooler temps on tap this week, GOP lawmakers want to pay for students' private education. On Dec. 15, Maness attorneys appeared in Durham County Superior Court and asked North Carolina Superior Court Judge John Dunlow to enforce the plea offered in March. The views expressed here are the author's own. After an investigation by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, Maness was deemed ineligible to be a member of USA Gymnastics. Mannes previously owned Bull City Gymnastics on Neal Road in Durham, N.C. and ran Chapel Hill Gymnastics in Chapel Hill. A former Durham gymnastics coach indicted for sex crimes against three young gymnasts has been offered a plea agreement -- that comes with a much lighter sentence. The cities are Chapel Hill NC, Durham NC, Jackson MS, Pennington Gap VA, San Diego CA, and Tupelo MS. MANESS SPECIALTIES, INC. While it may be difficult to think about financial compensation at this time, it is an important part of the civil justice system. The News & Observer contacted Bull City Gymnastics, but no one was immediately available to comment. He has been accused of assaulting three young girls who were enrolled there. There was no indication in the documents as to whether any of the alleged incidents occurred at the gym. The charges against Stephen Maness, who owns Bull City. This is Kathy Mandell, covering for my colleague CJ Fullford today, March 10, 2022. Request your free consultation today and an attorney will get back to you shortly. "We can't allow the state to walk away from a deal that my client has held up every single aspect that he agreed to hold up and then they are trying to change the game after-the-fact, Owen said. Register for a user account. Copyright 2023 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. Steven Maness in North Carolina. Record number of inmates died in North Carolina jails. Coopers office at odds? Maness ran not only Bull City Gymnastics, but also Chapel Hill Gymnastics. In March, prosecutors presented a plea offer that reduced the felony charges to three counts each of misdemeanor assault on a child, assault on a female and child abuse. Maness, 41, of Chapel Hill, was charged in 2021 with three counts each of taking indecent liberties with a child and sexual battery related to his interactions with three girls under the age of. Extensive steps have taken place to comply with this plea agreement, to enter this plea agreement and [Maness] has held up his end of the bargain and the State needs to be held to their obligations under this plea.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. There are online options to report abuse too, which include using the safe sport email address and reporting through the website. WRAL News tried to talking to the former coach at his home in Chapel Hill, but no one answered the door. On Monday, Maness signed a plea arrangement that would have dismissed the felonies in exchange for him pleading guilty to three counts of misdemeanor child abuse. Organizations that wish to receive our vacancy information should contact WCHL by calling (919) 933-4165. Stephen Maness, Bull City Gymnastics Durham gymnastics coach offered plea agreement. The plea includes a 120-day suspended sentence, meaning: The judge rejected the proposal, requesting Maness also be required to attend sex offender counseling. Court documents allege the abuse occurred over several years. The owner of Bull City Gymnastics, 39-year-old Stephen Maness, has been charged with indecent liberties with a minor and sexual battery against three victims, each of whom are girls under the age of 16 (or at least they were at the time; I'm not sure how old they are now). UNC Baseball Series vs. Virginia to Begin on Thursday, Paws and Effect: Helping Animals During COVID-19, 97.9 The Hill WCHL: Flagship Station for Tar Heel Sports, Contribute today every single dollar matters. As a firm, we are ready to represent survivors and their families to hold Maness accountable in civil court along with any public or private institutions that bear responsibility. Judge Cynthia Sturges did not accept or reject the offer. To get a pair of high-waisted jeans that are as comfortable as they are fashionable, find a pair with added elastane, Lycra or spandex. The plea doesnt mention Maness having to register on the North Carolina sex offender registry. Register. Kate trains 30+ hours per week under her Head Coaches Stephen Maness and Amanda Maness. Subscribe. Sometimes Stephen goes by various nicknames including Stephen R Maness and Stephen Ray Maness. STEPHEN. The judge rejected the proposal, requesting Maness also be required to attend sex offender counseling. Our child sexual assault attorneys understand that the first step in recovery is helping you feel safe again and we do this by providing access to rehabilitative resources and supporting our clients throughout the legal process. The national governing body for the sport told WRAL Stephen Maness, who owns Bull City Gymnastics in Durham, will not be allowed to have anycontact with USA Gymnastics-affiliated athletes and events amid investigations into alleged criminal actions. All three girls appeared in court this week, fully expecting the case to be over, until the judge decided the plea agreement was not tough enough. Steven Maness. Assistant District Attorney Brooks Stone argued that the plea was never formally accepted and potential additional victims have come forward since the last hearing. Durham Area Pet Adoption: Meet Oakley, Clover, Barney & More, NC Airport Closed As Military Downs Chinese Balloon: Report, Prismatica Kaleidoscope Experience: A Color-Filled Exhibition of Lights and Reflections at The Streets at SouthPoint (. Mannes previously owned Bull City Gymnastics on Neal Road in Durham, N.C. and ran Chapel Hill Gymnastics in Chapel Hill. Stephen Maness in North Carolina. A former Durham gymnastics coach indicted for sex crimes against three young gymnasts has been offered a plea agreement that comes with a much lighter sentence. Willets said that she cant provide additional information. We know that Stephen's political affiliation is currently a registered Republican . My Feed. A grand jury indicted Stephen Maness on Monday. A man who spent 15 years coaching elite gymnastics turned himself in to the Durham County Magistrates Office on a fourth charge of taking indecent liberties with a minor at Bull City Gymnastics. Maness faces three counts of felony indecent liberties with a child and three counts sexual battery. The Crime Victims Center is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse and rape, the provision of services to victims of violent crime, and elderly, disabled and minor victims of all crime. Stephen Maness, 39, of Chapel Hill was arrested Tuesday night. US. Get access to our best features. Court documents allege the abuse occurred over several years. Stephen Maness of Chapel Hill faces charges in Durham County related to his interaction with three girls under the age of 16. Stephen Maness, 40, of Chapel Hill, was charged in 2021 with three counts each of sexual battery and taking indecent liberties with a child, all felonies, related to his interactions with three. I know being touched like that you are going to have trauma, and you might have a hard time finding relationships and connecting with people in a physical way, said Abigail Davis, a former gymnastic and close friend of the four accusers. We are here to support you in any way we can. Stephen Maness is 41 years old and was born on 03/30/1981. The new administrator was required to complete SafeSport training and undergo a background check and must abide by the terms of Maness' suspension. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. However, we firmly believe that perpetrators and the institutions that allow them to prey on children must be held accountable.