Police have laid dozens more charges against a teacher and volleyball coach in the metro region.
Thirty-two-year-old Markus Hicks was initially charged with one count of sexual assault involving an adult man dating back to the spring.
But today the RNC filed an additional 49 charges, which now include alleged victims under the age of 16 and 18, dating back to June of 2021.
Breach of trust charges have also been laid in connection with Hicks’ profession as a teacher.
The new charges include:
- Three counts of sexual assault
- Attempted sexual assault
- Two counts of possession of child pornography
- Two counts of accessing child pornography
- Four counts of disguise with intent
- Three counts of breach of trust
- Two counts of permitting prohibited sexual activity within a household
- Twelve counts of making sexually explicit material available to a child
- Twelve counts of luring a child
- Eight counts of arranging a sexual offence with a youth
Hicks appeared in court this afternoon to have the new charges formally read to him, and to set a date for a bail hearing. That is set for October 3.
Thirty-two-year-old Markus Hicks is led to provincial court to face 50 sex-related charges involving alleged assaults at his Paradise home. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/VK9lCB51oA
— Brian Callahan (@briancallahan67) September 12, 2023
Police say the resident of Trail’s End Road in Paradise used fake identities, social media applications and concealment to arrange sex acts at his home.
Hicks was a well-known volleyball coach who was a member of the NL Volleyball Association.
The group put out a statement acknowledging that it is aware of the arrest, and that the case affects members of the volleyball community.
The organization says it shares with the community’s shock and concern and is urging that anyone with information contact police directly.
The NLVA says it remains in close contact with Volleyball Canada as it navigates its way through the ongoing investigation and it will provide any information relevant to the police investigation and cooperate fully as per the Safe Sport protocol.
The association is asking anyone with information relevant to the criminal investigation to contact the RNC or Crime Stoppers.
Mental Health Resources:
Mental Health Crisis Line: 811
Access to the Mental Health Mobile Crisis Response Team: 729-8000
Kids Help Line: 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868
