A legendary local track coach was back in a Sonoma County courtroom Tuesday to face felony charges that have shocked the North Bay running community.
The Press Democrat reports 78-year-old Douglas Courtemarche pleaded not guilty to possessing more than 1,000 files of child sexual abuse material. Investigators say the images were discovered following a digital search of an IP address linked to the former coach last summer.
While many of the images are described as “very old,” the district attorney has added an enhancement alleging at least ten of the files involved children under the age of 12.
Courtemarche led the Santa Rosa High track and cross-country programs for decades, earning numerous titles and even having the school’s track named in his honor—a sign that was recently removed by the district. School officials confirmed they cut ties with Courtemarche in July when the investigation began, noting the case does not involve any local students.
Courtemarche remains out on pretrial release and is scheduled to return to court on April 7.
