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Soccer Coach Investigated for Gagging, Binding Boys Save Email Print
Lincoln, Neb.
Posted: 10:40 AM May 14, 2008
Last Updated: 6:32 PM May 15, 2008
Reporter: David Jespersen
Email Address: david.jespersen@kolnkgin.com

Sanford Kaplan

A | A | A

Another victim has come foreward in the case against a Lincoln youth soccer coach.

Authorities say at least six teenage boys since 2000 have reported they were bound, gagged and suspended from the rafters of a Lancaster County garage.

The Lancaster County Sheriff's department has arrested longtime youth and Lincoln Northeast boys soccer coach Sanford Kaplan on 14 charges of sexual assault, false imprisonment and child abuse.

It's a story many are calling absolutely shocking. Sanford Kaplan has been a longtime youth soccer coach, the boys high school coach at Lincoln Northeast and a geologist at UNL. His neighbors are floored, his employers in disbelief -- no one could even imagine he could be capable of tying up and gagging teenage boys.

The house at 14647 Country Lane looks like a nice, quiet home. But according to officials, at least six individuals say they were victims of an unusual game involving Kaplan, a man they knew and trusted.

Authorities say the "game" has happened several times since the year 2000. On May 6, a 13 and a 15-year-old boy broke the silence, telling deputies they had been forced to wear blue jean clothing and rubber hip waders. They were bound with rope and chains, blindfolded, gagged and suspended from the rafters of the garage at Kaplan's home.

The boys told deputies the were supposed to escape as if it were a game.

Deputies served a search that same day and found items used in the bindings, a home computer and a camera among other things. Court documents say video shows Kaplan doing many of the things he's accused of, including the groping of one boys groin and other sexual acts.

They continued to investigate, and on May 12 three more individuals came forward with similar stories of fear, abuse and imprisonment.

Kaplan was taken into protective custody. He was arrested Wednesday on 14 charges, including two counts of 3rd degree sexual assault of a child, six counts of false imprisonment and six counts of child abuse.

He bonded out of jail Wednesday by posting 10% of his $100,000 bail.

Kaplan's neighbor said he was absolutely shocked and hopes the allegations are false. He had seen young boys at the home on several occasions and even attended a get together with members of Kaplan's youth soccer team, but he never saw children unattended or had any idea abuse was taking place.

Also shocked was the man who rents out Kaplan's basement. He said he knew boys would come over periodically but since moving in in September he never witnessed any unusual activity.

Authorities say Kaplan has no criminal history but they do believe there are more victims.

Kaplan had been the under age 14 coach for Capital Soccer Association, and has coached for more than 11 years there. But Thursday he was suspended.

He was the Varsity coach at Lincoln Northeast since 2005, but officials with LPS say he will not return next year.

Kaplan's neighbor said his education, which includes several degrees and a PHD, coupled with his employment at UNL made him seem like an upstanding citizen.

The County Attorney plans to charge Kaplan Thursday in the Lancaster County Court House, Room 10, at 2 p.m.

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