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Wrestling Coach Arrested on Felony Charge
Bryan E. Hurst, the longtime Fauquier High School wrestling coach who was honored by the National Wrestling Coaches Association as the Virginia Coach of the Year for the 2007-08 season, was arrested last week on a felony charge of forcible sodomy.
Virginia State Police Sgt. Les Tyler said a Fauquier Grand Jury indicted Hurst May 26. The panel did so after hearing evidence presented by Senior Special Agent Gary Pence of the VSP's Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
Hurst was reportedly arrested at an unspecified residence two days later.
In the indictment, the grand jury charged that Hurst, 38, committed forcible sodomy with a victim identified only by initials. Hurst allegedly did so against the victim's will “through the use of mental incapacity or physical helplessness.”
The alleged incident that led to the indictment occurred in Fauquier County sometime between Feb. 1 and June 1, 2006.
1st Sgt. Matt Hanley of the Virginia State Police is in charge of the Area 12 Office in Warrenton.
He said the complainant came to the office and brought the matter to his attention in November 2008. The case was immediately turned over to the BCI.
Karen Parkinson, coordinator of school and community information for the school division, said Hurst's position as a wrestling coach was a “stipend position.” He was never a teacher and therefore was not employed by the school division, she explained.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jonathan Lewis declined to comment.
As of Tuesday morning, Hurst was being held without bail in the Fauquier County Adult Detention Center. He is scheduled to appear in Fauquier County Circuit Court at 11 a.m. June 9.
E-mail the reporter: abogdanovic@timespapers.com
It would be helpful and newsworthy to know if the alleged victim was a student or not.
Posted by fredrva
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Bryan Hurst has been a good friend of mine for 2 years now and many of my friends wrestled for him while in high school. I have witnessed him in a professional sense and also as a friend and mentor. He has been nothing but kind and helpful to everyone I know who has had the pleasure of being in his presence - students, peers, and parents alike. I know that you can never be certain about the way that others behave behind closed doors. However, keep in mind that at this point the only thing that we have to base our opinions off of is one person's extremely vague tale, and nothing more. Bryan has been a model coach to the children in this county/state for years now. I believe that if this is any kind of accurate reflection of his actions and behavior that the truth would have become evident at a far earlier date. I will continue to stand behind my friend and I beg the community to hold their judgment on this man until all of the facts are on the table.
Posted by jendelaplane
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I have known Bryan since 1988 and we have remained the best of friends to date. I have coached with him, worked with him, traveled with him and have celebrated many various occasions with Bryan and his family. I have only known a man of character, honor, and dedication toward his family, his friends, and fellow man. I am certain those who know Bryan will agree, as for the ones who do not, I beg you to form no misguided opinions. Truth always prevails and rest assured that neither party will emerge unscathed. In the meantime, I think it wise for positive thoughts and energies to surround both families. Truly, nothing good ever comes from negative thoughts or actions.
Posted by DaveNFla
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I have been a friend of Bryan's for over 15 years and can't fathom that these allegations are even remotely true. Hang in there Bryan.
Posted by otis77
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IT WAS NOT A STUDENT!! I know this family personally and i think it is important to let everyone know this. I truly believe that this family deserves for everyone to stand behind Bryan until more facts are public knowledge, he is an outstanding person who has done commendable things for this community.
Posted by whitneyjade1
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These questionable and vague allegations will undoubtedly be proven false. Anyone that knows Bryan knows this. I've known Bryan since he was in junior high school and never, ever in his entire life have I ever witnessed, experienced or heard of anything other than model and exemplary behavior and representation of his family's name and the Fauquier community. Please, everyone in the community of Fauquier, hold your judgement until the facts play out. These are allegations from one person and the fact that these allegations came about over two and a half years after the supposed incident is fishy to say the least. To prematurely judge such an outstanding person, the kind of person I would hold up as an example to anyone, to my family, to my children, and to anyone, as to the type of person they should strive to become in life, would be a tragedy. Just know that there are hundreds, likely thousands of people that feel the same exact way as I do and are outraged and shocked at these accusations. We are all supporting Bryan and nothing will ever change that.
87' Fauquier High Graduate
Posted by faq87
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Well said, Jen! We believe in him too.
Posted by A&JH
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I have known Bryan and his family for 10 years now and can honestly say that Bryan is one of the few people in Warrenton who care for the future of our kids. Bryan has always had a great reputation in the county from the schools to the sheriffs dept. To hear that accusations of this magnitude were made is outragous, especially since so much time has gone by since
the "incident" happened. I know I will be standing by Bryan and the Hurst family through this nightmare, I just hope the rest of the community does too!
Posted by 87wva
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Having known Bryan for several years there is no way this accusation can be considered even the least bit plausible. Bryan is an upstanding, outstanding, caring, friend, mentor, coach, and all around incredible person. The only victim here is Bryan.
Our family stands behind him and is looking forward to the end of this pathetic smear campaign.
Posted by cpeg20187
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I've known Bryan for twenty years. I've been through enough ups and downs with this person to truely know what caliber of man he is and I can honestly tell you beyond the shadow of any doubt that Bryan is incapable of anything like this. I wish that I was as good a person as Bryan is. I humbly ask that my fellow citizens do not jump to any premature conclusions based on vague allegations from years ago. Bryan will be vindicated!
Posted by wt20187
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I only know Bryan as a coach. My son has wrestled in league with his group and also off and on through his open gyms. He has always been very approachable, professional, and caring.
I wanted to tell Bryan and his family we will be keeping him in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by djbowman59
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Bryan is a son, a brother, an uncle, a coach, a mentor & a friend - He has been accused...He has not been found guilty.
This has left a family, a team, friends and a community full of sorrow & confusion. Emotions are running high and feelings are intense.
Harsh words are being said...but so are words of LOVE, SUPPORT & FRIENDSHIP.
I believe we can focus on our ability to love and support - to be a family, a team, friends and a community that shows our caring, just and loving side.
Bryan needs and deserves that - we all need that.
Posted by mwinner
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"Forgive the National Wrestling Coaches Association if it seems short-sighted in naming Fauquier High's Bryan Hurst the Virginia Coach of the Year for the 2007-08 season.The NWCA doesn't hand out Coach of the Decade awards."
Posted by jendelaplane
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I've only known Brian for a few years now, when my son began wrestling in 2005. Being involved with the sport of wrestling for the better part of my life I have dealt numerous types of coaches and Brian has always been approachable and professional. Unlike myself Brian is one most level-headed coaches I've seen in the corner. I can't imagine what you and your family are going through Brian, but whatever happens I will always consider you a friend and when I return from deployment I hope and prayer that I see you in that Fauquier corner!
Ray
Posted by RayBorja
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Please step back remove this alleged offender from the pedestal you have all placed him on. There is a young child and his (yes his) family that too is going through more than you could remotely imagine. Yes, the facts will be laid before you in the court of law. All of which the jury will make an informed decision based upon. One asks why it takes a boy 2 years to come forward with such information and I think that's clearly apparent. What boy would WANT to come out with such information... seriously people. I'm not insinuating guilt but these posts preceding are proposterous to say the least.
Posted by skeptic
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