Trial begins for former Fast Feet owner accused of sexually abusing children

POWHATAN, Va. (WWBT) — The jury trial of Joseph Edward Parker, former owner of Fast Feet Sports Academy, began Tuesday at Powhatan Circuit Court.

Parker is accused of sexually abusing multiple children who attended the sports academy.

He was initially charged on March 20, 2025, with four counts of aggravated sexual battery of a child under the age of 13 and two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child while in a custodial or supervisory role.

On April 2 last year, a grand jury indicted Parker on eight more accounts of aggravated sexual battery of a child under 13 and four additional counts of “taking indecent liberties with a child by a person in a custodial or supervisory role.”

Parker owned and operated Fast Feet Sports Academy along Carter Gallier Boulevard. The academy’s website says it hosted before- and after-school sports programs for young athletes.

However, the academy closed on March 28, 2025, citing that no one was left to run the program.

Jury Selection and Opening Statements

After three hours of questions and discussions, a jury was seated Monday afternoon.

Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Timothy Dustan gave jurors a roadmap of the evidence they plan to present, including hearing from two girls who will take to the witness stand and four others who will testify over video.

“This will not be an easy day,” said Dustan.

Edward Riley, Parker’s defense attorney, said Parker has experience in law enforcement and has always had a passion for coaching since he was 12.

Riley says this inspired Parker to start Fast Feet Academy in 2017, which he said became a respected business known for sharing principles of kindness, respect and appreciation.

Riley said the allegations of inappropriate touching didn’t happen, doubling down on Parker’s previous statements that he denies the allegations.

Prosecutors will present their events later Monday afternoon.

PROSECUTION PRESENTS CASE:

After a lunch break, the court resumed with prosecutors calling their first witness, the mother of the first alleged victim in this case.

The woman testified that she noticed her daughter’s behavior changing, which included increasing anxiety and stress levels.

“She wouldn’t play in the front yard,” said the woman.

Following this testimony, the second witness took the stand, who was the first of the six alleged victims. The young girl appeared over a video call in the courtroom.

During her testimony, the alleged victim said Joseph Parker, also known as Coach Joe, would touch her butt multiple times a day.

“I did not like when he touched me on my butt,” she said. “I would feel uncomfortable.”

During cross-examination, the defense questioned the young girl’s testimony and asked whether Coach Joe had sent any pictures, videos, or texts.

The alleged victim said Coach Joe did not send her any pictures, videos or texts. In addition, she said Parker made no threats.

Shortly after, the father of the first alleged victim took the stand.

In the courtroom, the man testified he saw Coach Joe straddling his daughter through the window of Fast Feet Sports Academy.

The man told the courtroom he had a brief conversation with Coach Joe about this. During the conversation, the man said Parker reassured him that this would never happen again.

After this, a fourth witness was called to the stand, who was the mother of the second alleged victim in this case.

The woman said her 12-year-old daughter knew Joseph Parker through a soccer program and said she had no initial concerns about him until March 2025.

Following the woman’s testimony, her daughter took the stand over a video call.

The second alleged victim in this case claims Joseph Parker would put his hand on her chest and down below her stomach while sitting on his lap.

“Come sit on my lap, or you won’t be able to play,” said the alleged victim, describing how she was forced to sit on Coach Joe’s lap.

At one point, the alleged victim said Coach Joe would reach his hand up her shirt and down her pants.

The defense also questioned the alleged victim’s testimony and recollection of events, specifically what was said during forensic interviews.

During this portion of cross examination, the young girl started tearing up.

Before the end of the day, the third alleged victim, a 10-year-old girl, took the stand over a video call.

The alleged victim testified that Coach Joe touched her private parts while sitting in his lap.

“He did things to me that he shouldn’t have,” said the young girl.

In addition to this, the alleged victim claims she saw Coach Joe touch two other girls inappropriately.

During cross examination, the defense questioned the alleged victim’s recollection of events and contradictions from the initial forensic interview to their statements on the stand.

The jury trial will continue Wednesday morning at 9 a.m.