Christopher Lamar Ewell Jr., a coach at West Mecklenburg High School, was arrested Thursday, Nov. 5, and charged with two felony sex offenses and a misdemeanor involving a student, according to court records. The 30-year-old was booked on charges of sexual activity with a student, indecent liberties with a student, and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.
According to WCNC, charging documents allege Ewell engaged in a sexual act with a student who was enrolled at the school at the time. The documents also allege he took indecent liberties with a student and identified himself as a West Mecklenburg coach, the station reports. Court records cited by the outlet say the alleged offenses occurred on Oct. 10.
The misdemeanor charge alleges that Ewell knowingly caused, encouraged and helped a juvenile be under the influence of alcohol at his home, per the same court records. Ewell was identified in a MaxPreps listing cited by the station as the head boys’ varsity basketball coach at West Mecklenburg High School.
Court Appearance Scheduled Friday Morning
Court records indicate Ewell was scheduled to appear at the Mecklenburg County courthouse at 9 a.m. Friday. WSOC-TV separately reported that he was expected to face a judge for the first time that morning, after his arrest Thursday on felony indecent liberties charges involving a student, as the station described it.
The station's report does not indicate whether Ewell has entered a plea or whether he has retained an attorney. WCNC Charlotte said it had reached out to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for a statement on the case.
A Coach Who Had Turned Around a Losing Program
Ewell took over West Mecklenburg's boys basketball program as a first-year coach and oversaw a dramatic reversal, according to cmsathleticzone.com. One season after the Hawks finished 0-25, the team advanced to the third round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 7A state playoffs, the site reported. The turnaround included a nine-game winning streak that began with a 72-69 victory over Myers Park on Jan. 20, per the outlet.
Second CMS Case in Recent Weeks
Ewell's arrest comes about two weeks after a separate Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools employee, CMS data manager Quinto Owens, was charged with two felony counts of indecent liberties with a student. The two cases are not known to be connected.
Per WBTV, Charlotte police’s sexual assault unit investigated Owens and secured warrants for his arrest. District officials told the station Owens was suspended with pay, and records showed he had also been suspended with pay in September for an unspecified reason, according to the outlet. No comparable district statement has yet been reported in Ewell’s case.
