LI Soccer Coach Accused Of Raping Player In 50-Count Indictment

VALLEY STREAM, NY — A girls soccer coach from Valley Stream was arraigned Tuesday on a 50-count indictment accusing him of raping one of his players and endangering the welfare of two others.

Sean Johnsen, 35, was charged with one count of use of a child in a sexual performance, 23 counts of third-degree rape, 23 counts of committing a third-degree criminal sex act and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. His bail was set at $300,000 cash or $600,000 bond, and he is due back in court on March 1. If convicted of the top charge, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

“The allegations against this coach are despicable,” said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas. “Sports coaches and teachers hold special places of trust for both students and parents. The alleged betrayal of that trust and the violation of these adolescent girls will have life-long impacts. There must be accountability for these acts when proven.”

According to Singas, from April through August 2020, Johnsen engaged in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old player on the team he coached. Singas said Johnsen had sex with the girl more than 20 times in his car and at a hotel. During those months, Singas said Johnsen messaged the girl and asked for pictures and videos of her naked.

Singas said Johnsen propositioned a second player and endangered the welfare of a third teenager.

Johnsen was a coach for the Franklin Square Strikers and a teacher at Fusion Academy, a private school in Woodbury. He was fired after his arrest Oct. 29.

Anyone who thinks they may have been a victim of Johnsen, or has information about other victims, is asked to call the DA office’s Special Victims Bureau at 516-571-4276.