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Hi - I’m Ervin. I am a lawyer licensed to practice law in Illinois. Our attorneys fight every day for the rights of sexual abuse victims.
My team and I are ready to help.
Were you or a loved one sexually abused by Barry Wolfe, a former AAU basketball coach from Martinsville, Illinois? Wolfe was sentenced to 60 years in prison on 4 charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, after multiple former players stepped forward to accuse him of assault, the Pantagraph reports. The former basketball coach is now working to withdraw his guilty plea.
If you or a loved one were abused by coach Wolfe, our experienced sexual abuse attorneys are here to help. You can find your voice and pursue justice. Some abuse survivors may be eligible to pursue compensation by filing a private civil lawsuit. Our compassionate IL sex abuse law office can guide you through the legal process with confidence, providing experienced assistance and aggressive advocacy for your legal rights.
We’ve already helped countless sexual abuse survivors step forward. You are not alone. We understand the powerful and painful storm of emotions that sexual abuse can cause. You may be struggling to handle feelings of anger and shame, shock and embarrassment. Just know that this was not your fault. We believe you, and we believe your voice should be heard.
Did you know Colleges Throughout The United States Have Already Reported Sexual Assault? Learn more here.
What happened to you is inexcusable, but you can find the strength inside to fight. Sexual abuse need not define your life. Stand up for change and start on the path to recovery today. Join our attorneys in their investigation of Barry Wolfe’s alleged sexual abuse. You can learn more about your legal options in a free, confidential consultation today.
Former Illinois AAU basketball coach Barry Wolfe has been accused of sexually abusing multiple young players who participated in his now-disbanded basketball program. Wolfe, 54, was sentenced to 60 years in prison on four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse on August 11, 2018, but has since withdrawn his initial guilty plea. At least two young victims have stepped forward to accuse Wolfe of abusing them in multiple locations around Coles County.
Wolfe pleaded guilty to the charges on June 26, after being accused of sexually abusing underage players from his basketball program. Wolfe, a resident of Martinsville, Illinois, founded a youth basketball program within the American Athletic Union, serving girls ages 17 and under from Illinois and Indiana. This is a case of youth sports molestation that spans state borders, including survivors in both Illinois and Indiana.
He was accused of abusing two players between 2013 and 2015, when the alleged victims were ages 17 or younger. The first young woman reported Wolfe to university police after receiving a text message from the coach that he would be attending one of her games. Fearing for her safety, the alleged victim decided to step forward and file a formal complaint against Wolfe.
Former players said that during travel for games Wolfe would “call them to his hotel room, have them disrobe, then force them into sex acts,” the Herald & Review reports. There are also allegations of sexual abuse in a victim’s home when her parents were away.
Continue reading: California Voters Remove Judge Who Handed Down 6-Month Jail Sentence For Sexual Assault
A Coles County judge sentenced Wolfe to 60 years in prison for his crimes, though his plea agreement led to the dismissal of multiple additional charges. Testimony at earlier trials suggests that Wolfe may have had other victims beyond the two young women involved directly in the criminal case.
Three girls provided victim impact statements at Wolfe’s sentencing hearing in August, providing stirring testimony against the former basketball coach. The former players told Judge Brien O’Brien how Wolfe would threaten them with reduced playing time if they did not engage in sex acts and threaten to release recordings of their sexual encounters.
In August, Wolfe sought to withdraw his guilty plea after his attorney withdrew from the case. Circuit Judge Brien O’Brien appointed Wolfe a new attorney during a court appearance on Wednesday, August 29, 2018. He is being held in jail, without bond.
