A Skyview High School teacher and baseball coach has been arrested on a warrant alleging sexual misconduct with a 13-year-old boy.
The incidents allegedly occurred in 1997 in Frederick, Md.
Eric M. Estes, 41, was taken into custody Wednesday evening, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
During a hearing in Clark County District Court on Thursday, Estes agreed not to contest his extradition to Maryland. Court Commissioner Jeffrey Witteman ordered that Estes remain in Clark County Jail without bail until he is transported to that state. Witteman said it’s unclear how long it will take to transport Estes, but the fact that Estes waived extradition accelerates the process.
In 1997, Estes was a 25-year-old right-handed pitcher for the Frederick Keys, a minor league baseball team.
In 2007, the Frederick Police Department began investigating allegations that Estes inappropriately touched and engaged in sexual contact with a 13-year-old boy between April 1997 and September 1997. According to a police news release, the case was investigated but suspended because of a lack of adequate information.
Last month, the Vancouver Police Department contacted the Frederick police after learning new information related to the 2007 investigation. As a result, investigators from the Frederick Police Department, Vancouver Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Office worked together to reopen the investigation.
According to Frederick police, investigators were able to confirm the initial allegations when Estes was re-interviewed in Vancouver. On Wednesday, Estes was charged in a Maryland court with child abuse, sex offense and attempted sex offense.
Estes teaches social studies and is the head baseball coach at Skyview, where he was placed on paid administrative leave May 30 after the Maryland allegations arose.
Vancouver Public Schools is cooperating with the investigation, under the direction of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland authorities, district spokeswoman Pat Mattison said last week. Estes will be on paid administrative leave until the investigation is complete, Mattison said Thursday.
“Vancouver Public Schools has not received any reports or allegations of misconduct during his 14 years with the district,” she said.
Estes coached Skyview to the Class 4A state baseball championship in 2013, the first state title in the program’s history. The Washington State Baseball Coaches association named Estes the Class 4A co-coach of the year.
In court Thursday, Witteman said Estes doesn’t qualify for a court-appointed attorney. Vancouver attorney Jeff Barrar appeared with Estes on a courtesy basis. Barrar said he has not been retained to represent him.
Columbian staff writer Susan Parrish contributed to this story.
