The Black Collar Crime Series relies on public news stories and publicly available information for its content. If any incorrect information is found, please contact Bruce Gerencser. Nothing in this post should be construed as an accusation of guilt. Those accused of crimes are innocent until proven guilty.
David and Rachel Wakefield, basketball coaches at Damascus Christian School in Damascus, Oregon, were recently accused of sexually assaulting a minor student. The school is owned and operated by Damascus Community Church, an Evangelical congregation.
The Clackamas County Sheriff reports:
Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office detectives are seeking possible additional victims following the indictments of a husband and wife on sex-abuse charges.
On Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, David Alan Wakefield, 60, was indicted by a Clackamas County grand jury on 20 counts of Sex Abuse 2, and his wife, Rachel Jean Wakefield, 54, was indicted on 11 counts of Sex Abuse 2. They turned themselves in at Clackamas County Jail on Wednesday, Feb. 28, and were each released on $100,000 bail. Booking photos are attached.
The victim, now an adult, was a 14-year-old student at Damascus Christian School at the time the reported abuse began; the alleged abuse spanned a period of approximately four years. David and Rachel Wakefield were employed at Damascus Christian at the time of the abuse. David Wakefield had worked at Damascus Christian as principal, and then athletic director until 2020. Rachel Wakefield worked at the school as a substitute teacher and coach.
Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are asking for tips.
A husband and wife who coached Damascus Christian girls basketball are accused of sexually abusing a student-athlete over the course of four years.
David Wakefield, 60, and Rachel Wakefield, 54, were taken into custody Wednesday, Feb. 28, for allegedly abusing an underage girl on the basketball team between January 2013 and June 2017. Both are being held in the Clackamas County Jail after being taken into custody from their home in Mulino.
David Wakefield faces 20 counts of second-degree sexual abuse; while Rachel Wakefield faces 11 counts of second-degree sexual abuse. The former is being represented by Attorney Barry Engle, while the latter is represented by Attorney Zach Stern.
In a joint statement released by the defense attorneys, the couple denies the charges and “(looks) forward to the day when the truth comes out.” According to court documents they have been aware of the allegations since 2021. David Wakefield turned himself into authorities when the charges were filed. Neither were employed by the school at that time.
David Wakefield was a prominent local coach, leading the small 1A Damascus Christian for 16 seasons (more than 600 games), including a pair of championships in 2013 and 2015, while the alleged abuse was occurring. In addition to his coaching duties, he was a teacher and athletic director for the Eagles.
Rachel Wakefield was his co-coach, and was also heavily involved with fundraising activities for the school and community events.
The jury trial is scheduled to begin in April.
Bruce Gerencser, 67, lives in rural Northwest Ohio with his wife of 46 years. He and his wife have six grown children and sixteen grandchildren. Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. Bruce is now a humanist and an atheist.
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