Victims Urge Accountability as Weld County Ex-Coach Awaits Sentencing in Child Sex Abuse Case

By Hanna Powers | KDVR Fox 31

WELD COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — A former basketball coach in Weld County has been convicted of sexually abusing multiple players and is now awaiting sentencing.

George “JR” Sagner was found guilty on multiple felony counts, including sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust. Prosecutors said Sagner used his role as a coach to groom and abuse players for years. He is scheduled to be sentenced in January and faces a minimum of 12 years and up to more than 100 years in prison.

The case began with a Safe2Tell tip in 2022, but court records show allegations stretching back to 2012. During a trial that wrapped up last week, jurors heard weeks of testimony about a pattern of abuse that took place during practices, in cars and at Sagner’s home.

Kyra Varn, a former player, said she was just 15 when Sagner began giving her rides and pushing boundaries.

“I was receiving photos and videos of him nude … and I was physical with him, unfortunately. That lasted for the majority of the two and a half years I was involved with him,” Varn told FOX31.

She said the secrecy made it harder to speak up.

“He absolutely knew it was wrong. He told me I couldn’t tell my friends because we’d get him in trouble,” she said.

An affidavit in the case described other incidents, including Sagner buying beer for a student, kissing her, and putting his hand down her pants. Another teen told investigators she drank and smoked marijuana with him, and prosecutors said Sagner admitted over Snapchat to kissing her friend.

Raquel Stephenson, a parent of one of the players, said she saw no remorse during the trial.

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