A Yadkin County Public Schools high coach has been arrested and charged with 7 sex-crime related felonies.

Russell Paul O’Donnell

Russell Paul O’Donnell, age 54, has been charged with 5 felony counts of Statutory Rape of a Child who is 15 years of age or younger, 1 felony count of Crime Against Nature, and 1 felony count of Sexual Activity with a Student.

The assaults and described in the charges in court documents state that the incidents did not happen on school property.  The alleged incidents occurred between November 2017 and May 2018.

O’Donnell was taken to the Yadkin County Jail with a bond was set at $500,000.

According to school officials, O’Donnell was a “non-employee” and a “volunteer” wrestling coach at Starmount High School from Fall 2014 through 2017 and he had also coached girl’s soccer.

Yadkin County Schools released the following statement:

Russell O’Donnell has served as a non-employee coach with Starmount High School from 2014 thru 2017. Mr. O’Donnell was an assistant coach for the wrestling team and women’s soccer team during that time. A background check was completed on Mr. O’Donnell prior to the beginning of his duties pursuant to Yadkin County Schools Board policy. Mr. O’Donnell has been banned from all Yadkin County School campuses pending an investigation by both school and law enforcement personnel.

The administration of the Yadkin County Schools cooperates fully with law enforcement in the investigation (and prosecution, if applicable) of any allegations of misconduct against anyone associated with the Yadkin County Schools. Mr. O’Donnell is presently the subject of criminal charges filed by the Yadkin County Sheriff’s Department relating to alleged misconduct.