Shelby Review

A former high school basketball coach in Chesterfield Township has been charged for allegedly sending inappropriate texts to one of his players, according to Click On Detroit. 

David Willman, 48, who coached ninth-grade basketball at Eisenhower High School in Utica, has been charged with two felonies: accosting children for immoral purposes and using a computer to commit a crime. He was arraigned in 42-1 Romeo District Court earlier this month.

Willman was let go in December amid the allegations as the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office alleged the texts Willman sent to the basketball player were sexually explicit, including allegedly requesting her to send nude photos of herself. School leaders were said to have reported the texts, which were sent to one 14-year-old player.

He was jailed under a $150,000 bond and went back to court last week.

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office released a statement, according to Click On Detroit.

“He had sent many text messages stating how much he trusted her and that he wanted to send her nude photographs of himself. [Willman] asked her what size breasts [she] had because he can’t see her body sufficiently at practice, due to her uniform,” read the statement.

“The communication had taken place the previous month over text messages," the statement reads. "Willman had told the student numerous times to trust him and that he would help her. Later, Willman asked the 14-year-old to delete the text messages because he did not want to get into trouble. He then went on to tell the student athlete he was simply trying to build her confidence.”

Prosecutor Eric Smith said in a separate statement that situations like happen all too often. 

“This defendant not only violated the trust of his player, but that of the entire school and our community,” Smith told Click on Detroit. “As a father of two female student athletes and prosecutor for Macomb County, I take this matter extremely seriously."