A disgraced Team Summit ski coach has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a 9-year-old boy on a team trip to Taos this spring.
Jared Hedges, 48, of Frisco, entered his plea today in New Mexico court.
A New Mexico grand jury recently filed renewed charges against Hedges, including felony criminal sexual penetration of a minor. If found guilty, he could spend up to 18 years in prison.
Hedges has been out of jail for months and most likely will take this to trial.
These charges stem from an incident at Taos Ski Valley on March 21, when Hedges was reportedly left alone in a cabin with several pre-teen athletes. Police documents claim the coach singled out one of the boys and assaulted him.
One of the athletes reported this to the victim’s stepparent, who called local police. Hedges was arrested and booked on two felonies.
Those charges were dismissed April 17, when New Mexico authorities opted to pursue new charges through a grand jury. Attorneys involved in the case believe this was done to save underage victims from testifying at pre-trial hearings.
On June 18 the grand jury indicted Hedges on renewed charges. His next hearing and a trial date are pending.