A 27-year-old former coach at a private water-polo club in Southlake has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after a Tarrant County jury found him guilty yesterday of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The case centered on abuse that prosecutors said happened multiple times and involved one of his players, who was younger than 14 at the time. The coach, Adrian Maher, was fired from the club after the allegations surfaced and had been arrested in early 2025.
The Tarrant County District Attorney's Office announced the guilty verdict and 20-year sentence in a Facebook post, noting the victim’s age and publicly acknowledging the officers who worked the case. The Tarrant County District Attorney's Office message included the line, “Thanks to the Southlake Police Department for their work on this case and for their commitment to keeping our community safe.” The post also listed the prosecutors and investigators who handled the file.
How the Case Unfolded
Maher was arrested in February 2025 after Southlake detectives received a report alleging abuse during his time as a coach. He was charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child, indecency with a child and online solicitation, according to local coverage. The Dallas Morning News reported that the private club cut ties with Maher after the complaints surfaced, and investigators urged parents to contact detectives if they believed their children might have been affected. Those early allegations set up a prosecution that went to trial this month in Tarrant County.
Prosecution Team and Court Details
Court schedules list the case under the county’s special victim unit, with Assistant District Attorneys Steven Elliott and Alec Trono assigned as prosecutors and Brent Ezelle identified as the investigator. The county’s trial calendar, Tarrant County 'This Week's Trials', names Carma Anderson as the victim coordinator on the case and places Maher on the sexual-assault docket for the week of April 20. That timing lines up with the District Attorney’s announcement of a guilty verdict and punishment.
What the Sentence Means Under Texas Law
Under Texas law, aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree felony, with a possible prison term ranging from five to 99 years or life. Certain cases involving child victims can carry higher mandatory minimums. The offense is defined in the Texas Penal Code. Texas sex-offender registration rules are laid out separately in Chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which sets out reporting and verification requirements for reportable convictions, as detailed in Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 62.
Reaction and Resources
During the investigation, local media and public officials urged anyone with information about the case to contact law enforcement, and prosecutors pointed to the role of victim-services staff in helping survivors navigate the court. CBS Texas and other outlets reported that detectives asked parents to come forward if they had concerns, and the District Attorney’s Office identified a victim coordinator assigned to this prosecution. Officials have not publicly named the club, citing the victim’s age and privacy protections.
The verdict caps a case that began with complaints to police more than a year ago and has fueled renewed calls for tighter safeguards in youth sports, along with stronger reporting channels when abuse is suspected. Family-support resources and guidance on reporting suspected abuse remain available through local advocacy organizations and the District Attorney’s victim-services unit. The full statement and case details from prosecutors can be read in the office’s Tarrant County District Attorney's Office post.
