Cheerleading Coach in Hot Water for Alleged Abuse in Airliner

Police say Chatman sent several e-mails to the girl, and that he also discussed the alleged incident during an online chat with an undercover FBI agent posing as the 16-year-old girl.

(BEAVERTON, Ore.) - A male cheerleading coach in Beaverton is in custody over charges of of sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl aboard a late April flight from Chicago to Portland.

32-year old David Aaron Chatman who lives in the Rock Creek area, was arrested by FBI agents Monday evening, on two federal counts of abusive sexual contact.

He was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Paul Papak, according to the Beaverton Valley Times.

If he is convicted, Chatman could spend a maximum of two years in prison, he also could potentially receive a $250,000 fine. Chatman was indicted under federal law because the alleged abuse took place on a domestic airline flight.

It is reported that Chatman began his role as a part-time varsity cheerleading coach at Southridge High School in September 2003. The school has suspended him, pending the outcome of the federal investigation and indictment.

Students and families from Southridge High will be notified of the situation by the school district, to determine if there were additional, possible victims.

The Beaverton Valley Times reports that Chatman, a 1992 graduate of Aloha High School, also is a cheerleading coach with West Coast Extreme All-Star Cheerleaders of Tigard. A company employee curtly declined to comment on the arrest Tuesday afternoon.

On this particular trip on April 24th, Chatman was escorting about 20 cheerleaders on a Southwest Airlines flights from a competition in Orlando. That is when the alleged abuse took place.

At some point during the flight, investigators said he put his arm around a 16-year-old cheerleader and fondled her.

According to reports, the girl was asleep and covered with a blanket when the fondling began. She said she woke during the abuse, but was afraid to say anything. She said she pretended to be asleep as it continued.

Hillsboro Police were contacted by the girl’s parents. Hillsboro PD then turned the matter over to the FBI.

It is also alleged that Chatman sent several e-mails to the girl around the end of April, and that he also discussed the alleged incident during an online chat with an undercover FBI agent posing as the 16-year-old girl.

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I KNOW HIM November 9, 2008 3:50 pm (Pacific time)

Hey. I know Dave. he was like a brother to me! I was part of the team that went to Florida and came back on that plane. I know the girl who got fondled. She is one of my best friends. I was the girl who was sitting on the other side of Dave when he did the fondling. I was asleep when he did it, but he did it and that's ALL that matters. He was a good person, until this happened. He tried to get my mom and me to testify against my friend. But I know that girl. She wouldn't lie. But the worst thing is, that's not the only bad thing he's done. He was going out with a girl 9 years younger than he was, that he coached. He has stolen things from stores and places. He used to be cool, but now he's a jerk. I hate that man, and I hope to never see or hear of him again! I heard from my friend, and Dave has been convicted for 2 years in federal prison with a fine of 250,000 dollars. I'm glad that my friend got some justice...

pc? September 4, 2008 11:13 am (Pacific time)

Curmudgeon wrote: At the risk of not being politically correct, why is there a young male acting as a coach and chaperone for young, female cheerleaders? Cheerleading is a sport that incorporates both male and female participants. I don't believe that gender should play a role in who coaches or chaperones any sport. Rather integrity, talent, disposition, education, good leadership qualities and many other attributes should be the deciding factors on who is right for the job. The majority of adult men are perfectly appropriate with children of either gender. This one was just an evil exception! Let's face it they are everywhere, in every activity, community, church, government...and on and on. The court system found him guilty and he will soon be sentenced.

jennieC April 16, 2008 11:11 am (Pacific time)

This cheerleaders are cuties.. i like it.. Awesome Cheerleaders

J April 10, 2008 9:25 am (Pacific time)

Knowing Dave, I never thought that he would do this type of crime. I can only hope that he is proven inocent.

Long time friend December 17, 2007 4:12 pm (Pacific time)

I have known david for a long time and i don't believe for one second that he would do this.. As far as him being black, i don't remember him playing the race card so to the ignorants out there that just wants another black man to fry for nothing, go play in traffic. He couldnt do this and he didn't do this.. Now as someone said in another comment his life is over, and to the "victim" your gonna have to deal with the fact you put an innocent man in prison all for your own personal gag reel. Thats pretty sad.

Kevin September 25, 2007 11:20 pm (Pacific time)

For what it's worth, I was davids' asst. mgr. at a retail store just before this alleged crime. Never would/nor could i see him doing such a thing. He was a great guy to work with, and if anything came across gay. These highschool girls nowadays are so confused with all of the crap they see on t.v. and just assume. Assuming; it is what everyone on here is doing. All of us are. What does that fix? It only makes each one of us feel ok, it does not prove anything. Sorry to hear that David's life is now destroyed regardless of his innocence or conviction, but hey, at least everyone was able to jump on for the ride to hear themselves talk at someones' life expense......

ex cheerleader September 24, 2007 5:24 pm (Pacific time)

I was a student of his at west coast, and I always felt comfortable around him. He is a really nice guy!

Mike Hawk September 19, 2007 8:59 pm (Pacific time)

Dude did not just start fondling her. She showed him her pretty, and he couldnt resist playing.

friend of dc May 18, 2007 11:33 pm (Pacific time)

David Chatman is AWESOME

Cheer Coach May 15, 2007 4:41 pm (Pacific time)

It is always so ironic when something like this happens that people come out of the woodwork and say they KNEW that was going to happen. I had my cheer squad at a camp that David Chatman was an instuctor at last summer. I honestly saw NO sign of anything. However, I also wouldn't have left my girls alone with him. If nothing else it happens often that an older guy can convince a niave girl into a sexual relationship. Just remember hind sight is 20/20.

Jeff May 13, 2007 12:37 am (Pacific time)

Poor girl. I wish this had never happened to her. And, I hope David has to do some time. However, you idiots like Bob ("friggin freak") would have done well by the community to voice your, oh so righteous objections, a little sooner. Too little, too late idiot.

Terry Dunn May 12, 2007 10:52 am (Pacific time)

I just spent the last 9 months putting a man away for 67 months. He did the ame sort of thing to my 11 year old daughter. The system worked and justice prevailed. Washington state has a special sex offender alternative program that is used too loosely. For the first time in Washington State history, the judge overruled the State appointed attorney and denied Don Anderson the special program. I am working on doing a press release on channel 5. This man was also around children alone, and come to find out, he has a 40 year history. My daughter has been empowered by being involved with this so closely, she has helped to put a pervert away and save many others. I encouraged this 16 year old girl to do the same. One can gain strneth and empowerment if you get involved and do not consider yourself a victim.

excheerleader May 11, 2007 5:03 pm (Pacific time)

well i was with westcoast extreme and i always knew that he was like tha me and my mom talked about it all the time...

Albert Marnell May 11, 2007 10:14 am (Pacific time)

This man crossed the line but before you all get so holy, he did what many of you would like to do. I see men of all ages turning and making comments about attractive 16 year old girls. My father's mother was married at 16. If your bored watch "American Beauty"....from any library or BallBuster.

The Editor May 9, 2007 6:35 pm (Pacific time)

A racist comment by a comment poster named joshrandall has been deleted. We don't even publish borderline racial slurs or statements. What a shame that people can't understand that skin color has not a single thing to do with crime.

Josh May 9, 2007 5:13 pm (Pacific time)

According to FBI crime statistics, black commit sex crimes at a disproportionately high rate. Call it racism, but it's your daughters getting molested.

bob May 9, 2007 10:22 am (Pacific time)

He coached at our school. I always knew he was a petafile!! friggin freak

Hank Ruark May 9, 2007 8:00 am (Pacific time)

C-M et al: At some risk of obvious misunderstanding, I suggest that as a very penetrating question, one that deserves detailed answer from those directly responsible.

Curmudgeon May 9, 2007 3:20 am (Pacific time)

At the risk of not being politically correct, why is there a young male acting as a coach and chaperone for young, female cheerleaders?

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