Felony charge against former coach removed
CHICORA — The more serious charge has been withdrawn against a former volunteer softball coach at Karns City High School accused of sending sexually explicit photographs to a 17-year-old girl last year.
Nathan C. Ridley, 39, of Donegal Township appeared Tuesday before District Judge Lewis Stoughton in Chicora. He was there with his attorney, Al Lindsay, for a preliminary hearing.
Instead, he gave up his right to the hearing after prosecutor Russ Karl, a Butler County assistant district attorney, withdrew a felony count of dissemination of explicit sexual material to a minor.
In exchange, Ridley waived to court a misdemeanor count of corruption of minors.
“There was no evidence,” Karl said following the proceedings, to proceed with the top count.
State police said they began their investigation Oct. 31 when they learned of the allegations against Ridley.
This is an excerpt — read the full article in Wednesday's Butler Eagle or subscribe to butlereagle.com.
