CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 2 (UPI) -- A well-known swimming coach in Charlotte, N.C., has been charged in Alabama with sexual conduct involving a juvenile, police said.
Capt. Van Jackson of the Lee County Sheriff's Office said Jamie Thomas, 54, was arrested there Sept. 18, The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday. He was released after posting $500 bail, and police in Alabama have refused to give details about the case because the victim is underage.
Thomas has owned New South Swimming since 1997, serving as the club's head coach. The club, which now has about 125 members, has produced nationally ranked swimmers.
In July, Thomas took a leave as head coach.
"It's personal at this point and I am just taking some time off and dealing with all of my issues and my family," he told the Observer at the time.
Thomas was North Carolina Swimming's Senior Coach of the Year in 2010.
A spokeswoman for USA Swimming said Thomas has agreed to a suspension pending a full hearing on the charges against him.
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