Boulder authorities have arrested a former youth hockey coach and ice rink worker on charges that he engaged in inappropriate conduct with several adolescent boys.
John Steele, 52, of Broomfield, was arrested Friday on suspicion of attempted unlawful sexual contact and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. In total, he faces 63 counts.
Boulder Sheriff’s Commander Phil West said Steele is accused of providing drugs and alcohol to several adolescent boys and watching pornographic movies with them at his home. Parents of the boys first alerted authorities to the activities, West said.
West would not say how Steele knew his alleged victims because he said the investigation is still ongoing and several boys have yet to be interviewed.
Steele worked from 1998 until 2002 as the maintenance director for the ice sheet at the YMCA in Lafayette, said YMCA of Boulder Valley CEO Seth Goldman. During that time, Goldman said, Steele also coached his sons’ hockey team.
Goldman said all teams have two coaches and that Steele never would have been alone with any players when in an official capacity as coach.
“We have no file or recollection of complaints from parents or any concerns that were raised,” Goldman said of the years Steele coached.
Steele stopped coaching when he resigned his job at the YMCA in 2002.
The YMCA had no screening process for youth hockey coaches while Steele coached, but coaches must now submit fingerprints, Goldman said.
