Hartford Hoops Coach Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Player: State
Crime & Safety
Hartford Hoops Coach Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Player: State A judge will sentence the 33-year-old Hartford resident in November.HARTFORD, CT — A youth basketball coach from Hartford has been convicted of sexually assaulting one of his female players back in 2021.
Sharmese L. Walcott, state's attorney for Hartford, announced Monday a jury in Hartford Superior Court on Sept. 20 found Danny Lawhorn, 33, of Hartford, guilty of second-degree sexual assault.
According to evidence at the trial, in the early morning hours of June 13, 2021, Hartford police were called to a hotel for a report of a teenaged sexual assault victim being present in the lobby.
The victim indicated she was an international basketball player being hosted by Lawhorn to play for his local AAU team, Walcott said.
Lawhorn was identified as the coach and director for the local AAU girls basketball league.
Walcott said the victim reported Lawhorn sent her a voice message the evening before requesting assistance from her and then sexually assaulted her during that encounter.
The victim contacted family members for direction of where to go for safety, she said.
Hartford police were contacted and officers arrested Lawhorn following an interview where he admitted to the sexual encounter, knowing the youth was under the age of 18, and detailed his position as a coach for the athletic organization, Walcott said.
Authorities said police also found Lawhorn to be in possession of crack cocaine, packaged for sale.
He pleaded guilty to federal felony drug charges in U.S. District Court and was sentenced Feb. 9.
Walcott thanked the jury and said the office is now turning its attention toward sentencing in this case and prosecuting two additional sexual assault cases pending against Lawhorn.
She said Hartford police "did a wonderful job seeing this complaint through and ensuring safety for the victim."
Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 14 in Hartford Superior Court.
For the full announcement, click on this link.
From Oct. 20, 2021: 'Hartford Basketball Coach Charged With Child Enticement: Feds'
