An American Canyon High School student has reached a conditional settlement with her former coach, according to recent court filings, potentially wrapping up her civil case against Brad Matthew Rowell. Rowell is already serving time in state prison after a criminal plea. The student has asked the court to dismiss her lawsuit against him, with each side covering its own legal costs.
Settlement Terms Filed in Court
According to The Napa Valley Register, a filing submitted this spring states that the student and Rowell have reached a conditional settlement, and that she is expected to submit a formal request to dismiss her claims by July 1. The filing asks the judge to close out the case with each party responsible for its own attorney fees and costs. It also specifies that the proposed dismissal would not apply to the Napa Valley Unified School District, which remains a defendant.
Rowell's Criminal Plea and Sentence
A press release from the Napa County District Attorney’s Office states that Rowell pleaded guilty to 10 counts involving two victims and is now serving a 15-year state prison term. The DA’s statement notes that the plea deal also requires Rowell to register as a sex offender for life, put 10-year protective orders in place and pay restitution to the victims.
District Remains a Defendant and Presses for Discovery
The Napa Valley Unified School District is still on the hook in the student's civil case and has been pushing back in court. The district filed a motion to compel discovery, asking a judge to order the plaintiffs’ attorneys to respond to written questions and turn over documents. The Napa Valley Register reported that the district’s April 10 motion requested about $2,937.50 in attorney fees tied to the discovery dispute and set a hearing on the issue for May 15.
Separate Suits and Past Proceedings
Three other former students filed a separate lawsuit last summer alleging that Rowell sexually abused them while they were students at American Canyon High, according to The Press Democrat. A related misdemeanor case that charged then-principal Andrew Goff with failing to report suspected abuse ended in an acquittal last June.
What Happens Next
The district’s motion to compel discovery is scheduled to be heard by a judge in mid-May. If the conditional settlement holds, the student is expected to file her formal notice of dismissal by July 1. Even if her individual claims against Rowell are dismissed, the district remains a defendant in other pending lawsuits, and the outcome of the current discovery fight could influence what evidence is available in those cases.
