Rochester man indicted in child sex assaults removed as girls softball coach

Ernest Brown (Police mugshot)

ROCHESTER - A Rochester man indicted in a four-year pattern of rape and sexual assault of a child has been removed from his coaching position in a local girls softball league and banned from its practice facility.

Ernest Brown, 53, allegedly began his pattern of abuse in June of 2015, performing various sexual acts on the victim, who was eight years old when the incidents are said to have begun, according to court filings.

He was taken into custody on Sept. 10, shortly after police began an investigation into the allegations, and remains incarcerated on a no-bail order.

Rochester Girls Softball League President Derek Perkins confirmed to The Rochester Voice on Friday that Brown had been a volunteer coach for the league for some time, but that he was removed from the position upon the league's learning of his indictment.

Perkins said that Brown passed all background checks prior to his being approved for coaching duties. In a statement to The Rochester Voice he noted that stringent requirements are in place to ensure the safety of league participants, including completion of Babe Ruth League requirements as part of the Safe Sport Act.

"These include mandatory Coaches Education and Certification, Risk Management disclosures, and mandatory background screening (including a check of the applicable government sex offender registry) on all managers, coaches, board members, as well as any other persons/volunteers, who provide regular service to the league, and/or have repetitive access to, or contact with, players or teams," Perkins wrote.

"RGSL will continue to maintain the highest level of standards and provide a program that is safe for our children," he added.

Brown faces up to 30 years on each of the 13 charges against him.

He was originally held at the Strafford County House of Correction but was transferred to the Carroll County Jail on Nov. 10.