A rowing coach from Rockford, MI in the Grand Rapids area has been accused of secretly filming girls changing their clothing in a building used by the rowing team. 30-year-old Rockford men’s rowing head coach Timothy Vallier has been arrested and is being charged with felony counts of Child sexually abusive activity, Using a computer to commit a crime, and Production of child sexually abusive material, also known as Child Pornography.
How did it get discovered?
According to police in Kent County, it all began when one member of the girl’s rowing team found a camera inside the crew vehicle, which was used to transport the rowing team. She took the camera home and looked at what footage was recorded on it, only to discover two recordings of girls on the rowing team getting undressed. She immediately gave the camera to her mother, who contacted Rockford Public Schools to report it.
The school in turn, contacted the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, and an investigation was opened. It was quickly determined by police that Coach Vallier had placed the hidden camera in the changing rooms with the intention of filming the underaged female students while they were undressing. Vallier was arrested and is currently being held on a $100,000 bond.
How where the parents notified?
In a letter sent out to all parents of students, Rockford Schools Superintendent Michael Shibler defended the fact that the school district did not notify parents immediately. “Regardless of criticisms and misinformation circulating on social media, we acted based on direction from law enforcement and I stand by how we handled this situation and our priorities of 1) getting the alleged perpetrator off the streets and 2) not doing anything to breach the investigation.”
In a later letter to parents, Schibler reminded everyone that the school was going to great lengths to cooperate with the Kent County Sheriff’s Department during their investigation. “I need to emphasize that this is an ONGOING INVESTIGATION by the KCSD and when allowed, I will provide you with updated information involving this situation.”
What does the school plan to do about it?
When asked by media sources about what the school intended to do in the wake of this information, Schibler said that Vallier’s decisions in this case had been “Stupid, absolutely stupid!” He went on to say that Vallier “chose to make a very bad decision. I guarantee you if the facts are as just stated, he’s done, he is fired. He is over with, his employment is terminated.”
For all of the heartbreak that Rockford students and parents have shared on Facebook and for all of the vehemence with which Schibler swore that Vallier would be terminated from his position, all of this is currently no more than an allegation. Vallier has been charged but he hasn’t been convicted. Which means that, in the eyes of the law, he is still considered to be innocent. That’s an important lesson for these students and for us adults to keep in mind.
We remind all of our readers that, easy as it may be to point fingers and make accusations, until the judicial system has had a chance to work properly, we cannot assume that someone is guilty of a crime. In addition, if you or someone you have been accused of a sex crime, whether you are guilty or not, contact us immediately. The criminal defense attorneys at the Kronzek Firm have decades of experience in handling sex crime accusations and false allegations. We can help you.