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Aitkin Coach Accused Of Sexually Abusing Player

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- An Aitkin girls basketball coach is accused of sexually abusing one of her players after the two became involved in a relationship, according to charges filed in Aitkin County Court.

Kristy Hoge, 24 and a fourth grade teacher, has been charged with two felony counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, position of authority, in connection with the case. She has been placed on administrative leave while the case is under investigation.

According to the charges, Hoge was involved in a relationship with a 17-year-old student.

According to a criminal complaint, a sergeant with the Aitkin Police Department met with the victim and her parents on May 3. The victim said Hoge was a floater coach between the junior high and varsity girls basketball teams at Aitkin and last December, the victim went to Hoge because she was struggling with her jump shot. The victim was telling Hoge about issues she was having with her boyfriend and friends.

The complaint states the victim told authorities Hoge was easy to talk to and the two became friends. The two started to have feelings for each other, and they started kissing around the middle of March. That led to inappropriate touching, and the two would meet for five or six encounters at a cemetery just outside Aitkin. Other incidents also happened at Hoge's residence.

The complaint states the last time the two met was April 30.

According to the complaint, the victim's mother became aware of the relationship after another coach told her some of the other coaches had concerns. The victim had asked her mother if Hoge could spend the night at their house while the victim's parents were out of town. The mother told her daughter it wasn't appropriate, and the victim told her mother that Hoge had spent three nights at their home and Hoge slept in her bed.

At about 11 a.m. on May 3, authorities contacted Hoge to come to the sheriff's office. At about 11:37 a.m., authorities received a call for a suicide attempt with a throat injury. Officers were told Hoge had attempted to roll her car by driving off the road but was unsuccessful. She then grabbed a knife and started slicing her throat. She twas taken to Riverwood Health Center for treatment.

Hoge was booked into the Aitkin County Jail last week and released after posting bail. She was put on administrative leave May 3.

If convicted on all counts, Hoge faces up to 50 years in jail and $100,000 in fines.

 

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