Md. Swim Coach Chris Huott Arrested for Child Abuse, Sex Offenses

A 52-year-old swim coach is accused of sexually abusing a pre-teen student during a five-year period.

Christopher T. Huott founded Maryland Suburban Swim Club in Laurel in 1986. A woman contacted police last month, alleging Huott had molested her several times between January 1984 and September 1989, beginning when she was just 7 years old.

Court documents allege Huott would have the girl sit on top of him while he inappropriately touched her. He would also touch her while she was showering or sleeping, documents allege. 

Huott has been charged with three counts of committing a third-degree sex offense, one count of committing a second-degree sex offense and one count of child abuse. Huott bonded out of jail Friday. Attempts to contact him by News4 were unsuccesful. 

Montgomery County police believe additional victims may have been abused by Huott.

The City of Laurel has also warned parents of the investigation, as Huott has been running a swimming program at Fairland Sports and Aquatic Complex as well. 

A local mother who did not want to reveal her identity said her daughter swam for Huott for several years, before asking to change teams. The woman suspects her daughter was made uncomfortable by Huott.

If you have any information that could help the investigation, you're asked to call 240-773-5400.

A strikingly similar case wrapped up in the courts just last year.

Rick Curl -- a swim club founder and coach in Northern Virginia -- was sentenced to 7 years in prison for sexually abusing one of his students in the 1980s. 

Curl's victim's lawyer told News4 last May he knew of another swim coach in the area who was "flying under the radar" and hadn't yet been prosecuted. It's not known if he was referring to Huott. 

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