Former Montco swim coach accused of soliciting sex

A former Montgomery County high school swim coach was arrested yesterday for soliciting sex for money from a 15-year-old female student.

Michael Dolan, 29, of Ambler, who worked at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School, has been charged with criminal solicitation to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and related offenses, said Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman.

"He will not be coaching again at Plymouth Whitemarsh or any other school in the area," said Ferman.

She said Whitemarsh Township police began an investigation after a 9th-grade girl whom Dolan knew from school told her parents she had received a spate of unsolicited, sexually explicit text messages.

The first message was sent on April 24 at 2:30 a.m. and messages continued for several days, said Ferman, adding that the girl did not know who was sending them. The messages included references to providing oral sex for money and arranging to meet in a park for sex, Ferman said.

Although police traced the originating phone number to Dolan, he initially denied the allegations, Ferman said. After police obtained phone records, Dolan, who coached at the high school from Nov. 12, 2007, to March 14, 2008, admitted that he sent the messages to the victim, who he knew was a minor.

Dolan has worked for about 10 years as a coach at various swim clubs in the area, said Ferman. She said anyone who has experienced "similar contact" with Dolan should contact Whitemarsh Township detectives at 610-825-6530.

After his arraignment, Dolan was released after posting $75,000 bail to await a preliminary hearing next Wednesday.