Local
Obetz suspends volunteer soccer coach after child-sex-material charges
Obetz officials suspended Columbus resident Billy Wilburn from the city’s youth sports program after his arrest on two felony counts involving sexually oriented material involving a minor. A judge set Wilburn’s bond at $250,000, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for Sept. 25.
OBETZ, Ohio — The city of Obetz has suspended a volunteer soccer coach and revoked his access to the youth sports program after he was arrested on charges involving sexually oriented material involving a minor.
Billy Wilburn, 33, of Columbus, was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, according to Franklin County court records.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating allegations that Wilburn distributed and received sexually oriented material involving a minor, the city said in a social media statement. Obetz officials said they do not currently believe the allegations involve anyone in the city’s youth program, though that has not been officially verified.
Wilburn appeared Friday in Franklin County Municipal Court. A judge set his bond at $250,000 and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Sept. 25.
The city said volunteer coaches must complete a background check each year. Wilburn passed the required check in each of the three years he had been involved with the program, according to Obetz officials.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Obetz Police Department or the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
The charges are allegations, and Wilburn is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.