Former Lower Lake High volunteer assistant cheer coach arrested for annoying or molesting a child, possessing metal knuckles
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A man who formerly served as a volunteer assistant coach for Lower Lake High School’s award-winning competitive cheer squad has been arrested on charges of annoying or molesting a child and metal knuckles possession.
Joshua Scott Wade, 44, of Clearlake was arrested Wednesday morning on a bench warrant and booked into the Lake County Jail on $15,000 bail.
He has since posted bail and is scheduled to appear in Lake County Superior Court on Nov. 13 for arraignment, according to Senior Deputy District Attorney Ed Borg, who is handling the case.
Borg said Wade is charged with possession of metal knuckles, a felony, and annoying or molesting a child, a misdemeanor.
He said the two charges are not connected – and there is no allegation that the metal knuckles were used to threaten the victim, who didn’t know Wade had them – although the discovery of the knuckles, an illegal weapon, occurred in the context of the annoying or molesting a child investigation.
The investigation began in early August and centers around one alleged female victim under age 18, Borg said.
Borg would not discuss if the alleged victim was known to Wade through cheerleading.
The time frame for the annoying/molesting charge is from June 1 to Aug. 2, while the charge for the metal knuckles dates from Aug. 2, Borg said.
Separately, Lower Lake High School Principal Cecil Edwards told Lake County News that Wade was not a volunteer assistant coach with this year’s cheer squad.
Borg said the investigation was submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for charging on Aug. 22, with the criminal complaint filed the next day.
A warrant was issued for Wade’s arrest – which Borg said is typical in felonies – and that led to Wade’s arrest by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office this week.
Due to the sensitive nature of the case, the specifics of what led to the annoying or molesting charge so far haven’t been made public.
Annoying or molesting a child under age 18, Penal Code 647.6(a)(1), can involve physical contact but Borg said that is not a necessary element.
If convicted, between the two charges Wade could face a maximum sentence of four years – three years for the metal knuckles and one for the annoying or molesting charge, Borg said. An annoying/molesting conviction also would require sexual offender registration.
Borg said Wade has no prior criminal history so he likely would receive probation, not prison time, if convicted of the charges. In that situation, Borg said the District Attorney’s Office would want supervised probation.
For several years Wade has been a part of Lower Lake High cheer activities. He’s been popular with students and parents alike, and lauded for his work with the team as it made its way to the top of the podium at the national championships.
In February, the Clearlake City Council honored Wade and the Lower Lake High School cheer team with a proclamation for having received its second JAMZ Nationals title.
Edwards, who is new to the school this year, told Lake County News on Friday that for about three years Wade served as a volunteer assistant coach for the cheer team. In that capacity, he was not a paid district employee.
“Josh is not part of that team this year,” said Edwards.
At the end of last year, the head coach resigned. Then, this summer, the school hired a new head coach who brought on her own group of assistant coaches, Edwards explained.
Since then, Edwards said Wade has not volunteered to work with the school’s cheer team.
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