Jury reaches split verdict in trial for Fast Feet owner accused of sexually abusing children

POWHATAN, Va. (WWBT) — After more than five hours of deliberations, a jury reached a split verdict in the trial of Joseph Edward Parker, the former owner of Fast Feet Sports Academy accused of sexually abusing multiple children who attended the facility.

Just before 1 a.m., a jury found Joseph Parker guilty on all 12 counts of aggravated sexual battery of a child under the age of 13. The jury found Parker not guilty on all six counts of taking indecent liberties with a child while in a custodial or supervisory role.

Family members of the alleged victims and Joseph Parker’s family was in the courtroom as the verdict was read.

A pre-sentence report has been ordered by the judge. A request was also made for Parker to undergo a psychosexual evaluation.

A sentencing date has not been set yet.

DAY TWO COVERAGE

The second day of Parker’s jury trial started with the Commonwealth calling their ninth witness, the father of the fourth alleged victim in this case.

The man claims his daughter, a 13-year-old girl, attended Fast Feet Sports Academy starting in Aug. 2022. After this, the man claimed his daughter’s behavior started to change, which included being more withdrawn and staying in her room.

After this, the fourth alleged victim testified over a video call.

The young girl claimed Joseph Parker would hug her from behind and his hand would go on his chest area.

The alleged victim also claims Parker would tickle her over her clothes and poke her shoulders, sides, and stomach.

“I didn’t know it was wrong,” said the young girl during her testimony.

After this, the young girl claimed she would go into the bathroom or locker room to avoid Parker.

During cross-examination, the defense questioned the young girl about whether or not she told anyone about this or confronted Parker about these touches, but she said she did not.

After the young girl’s testimony, the mother of the fifth alleged victim took the witness stand.

In the courtroom, the woman said her daughter started going to Fast Feet Sports Academy in 2021, but noticed changes in her behavior three years later.

In 2024, the woman testified hearing from her daughter’s teacher about her coming to school wearing her hoodie and lying on the desk.

Once Parker’s case came to light, the woman testified that her daughter built an emotional wall, didn’t want to be hugged or touched, and was sleepwalking. In addition to this, the woman said her daughter started covering up her body by wearing multiple layers to “try to hide.”

During cross-examination, the defense brought up behavior issues from the young girl.

After this, the fifth alleged victim, an 11-year-old girl, entered the courtroom to take the witness stand.

The young girl said she started attending Fast Feet Sports Academy when she was about 4 or 5.

During her time, the girl said Parker would touch her inappropriately.

“He kept touching me in the wrong spots,” said the girl.

The girl claims Parker used his hand to touch her breasts and lower stomach. She also said this happened on the bus, saying Coach Joe would “put his hand up my shirt.”

The alleged victim also said she saw Parker do to this other girls and reported it with another alleged victim to one of the coaches at the facility.

“I lost all my friends,” said the young girl in response to a question about how this case has impacted her life.

During cross-examination, the defense questioned the young girl about the lies that got her in trouble.

In addition to this, Parker’s defense attorney Ed Riley questioned contradictions in her forensic interviews and her testimony, specifically regarding whether or not she saw Parker touch other girls.

After this, the Commonwealth’s 13th witness took the stand, who is the grandfather of the sixth alleged victim in this case.

During his testimony, the man claimed he met Parker at a soccer field, who showed interest in buying his truck.

The man said Parker came over to his house to talk about buying his truck, where he offered to get his granddaughter into Fast Feet Sports Academy.

After this testimony, the sixth alleged victim, a 12-year-old girl, took the stand.

During her testimony, the young girl alleges that Coach Joe would “touch me and other girls.”

The young girl claims Parker touched her chest under her clothes with his hand, which she said happened more than one time in the gym.

The young girl also claims she saw Parker touch other girls, which motivated her to tell one of the coaches at Fast Feet Sports Academy about the incident.

During cross-examination, the defense also questioned the alleged victim’s recollection of the events.

The Commonwealth also called an employee of the Child Advocacy Center, who conducted forensic interviews on five of the six alleged victims in this case.

The next witness to testify was one of the coaches at Fast Feet Sports Academy, who was described as a main manager of the facility.

The woman testified children were referred to as teammates at Fast Feet Sports Academy and were told by Joseph Parker to follow rules and protocols for touching.

As part of this, the woman testified the rules were to do side hugs and keep hands closed, which were rules she said were enforced by Joseph Parker.

The woman also testified two of the alleged victims came forward to her about the allegations on Feb. 28, 2025.

“Looked very scared, very stressed,” when describing the girls and their behavior.

After talking about this interaction with her boyfriend and parents, the woman decided to report it to the Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office on March 2, 2025.

Two days later, the woman said Parker pulled her into a meeting with another coach to ask about the allegations made after deputies contacted him. The woman said Parker kept saying they weren’t true.

During cross examination, the defense questioned an email the coach sent to Parker in 2023, expressing frustration or not feeling more involved and asking for more money.

The woman testified she had a meeting with Parker about her concerns and felt she,“could get past it.”

The woman was also questioned about one of the alleged victims and her behavior issues after she allegedly drew on the bathroom floor.

After this coach’s testimony, four other coaches took the witness stand and were questioned whether or not Parker treated male or female teammates differently.

One of the coaches said Parker would express more favoritism towards the girls and would make comments about their bodies.

Another coach testified hearing Parker comment about one of the girls and “how developed her chest area was.”

A parent, who had two children attending Fast Feet Sports Academy, also took the witness stand.

The woman claims she saw Parker with his hand grazed across the bottom of a girl.

“I froze,” said the witness.

After a lunch break, the Commonwealth’s expert witness, a licensed clinical social worker, took the stand.

During her testimony, the witness talked about how sexual abuse can be different for children and how they can react. In addition to this, the expert witness also talked about the process of delayed disclosure and how children may be worried about coming forward with allegations.

When asked if children can lie about being abused, the expert witness said it is rare based on research.

During cross-examination, the defense challenged which research the witness was referring to. In addition to this, the defense also asked if the expert witness interviewed the alleged victims in this case, but she said she did not.

The last witness for the Commonwealth was an investigator for the Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office, who received the initial tip about the allegations from a coach at Fast Feet Sports Academy.

On March 3, the lieutenant from the Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office said she went with a member of the Department of Social Services to Fast Feet Sports Academy to talk to Parker, who was “very surprised” about the allegations.

“He didn’t understand what was going on,” she said.

During her testimony, the witness said she wanted to put in place a safety plan at Fast Feet Sports Academy, which includes no touching the kids at all. The witness claimed Parker still wanted to give the kids side hugs.

On March 20, 2025, the witness said Parker was arrested and conducted an interview with him, which lasted three hours.

During this interview, the witness said Parker described one of the alleged victims as “vindictive” and “always exposing herself.” In addition to this, the witness said Parker told her the alleged victim was “turning into a woman.”

The witness also said Parker described another alleged victim as “always needing male attention” and became “his social services project.”

Just before 3 p.m., the Commonwealth wrapped its case.

The defense called their first witness, who was the forensic investigator at the child advocacy center previously on the witness stand for the Commonwealth.

During her testimony, the defense played two excerpts from the forensic interviews of two alleged victims in this case, questioning their statements and if they contradicted their testimony in the courtroom.

After this, the defense’s second witness was a coach at Fast Feet Sports Academy.

The man testified to working closely with Parker and never saw him inappropriately touch the kids at the facility.

In addition to this, the coach testified that kids would always hug and “hang all over you.”

“They were just kids,” he said.

The defense’s third witness, another coach at Fast Feet Sports Academy, shared similar testimony and said Parker never acted inappropriately.

The woman also said kids would always try to sit and eat with Parker at Fast Feet Sports Academy.

The defense also called a woman who has known Parker since birth.

“Joe was amazing,” said the woman.

The woman testified she never saw Parker inappropriately touch anyone.

Another woman, who is best friends with one of Parker’s daughters, also testified that she saw no inappropriate touching by Parker.

The sixth witness to take the stand for the defense was Joseph Parker’s mother.

During her testimony, Parker’s mom said she would be at Fast Feet Sports Academy between three and four times a week and would help with paperwork.

Parker’s mom said she never saw her son do anything inappropriate and said he was, “really well loved.”

In addition to this, Parker’s mom said the kids would want to stay and play games with her son.

Parker’s two daughters also took the witness stand for the defense.

Parker’s daughter worked as coaches at Fast Feet Sports Academy. One of his daughter’s said the facility was a family business, putting respect and family first, a motto instilled by their father.

The daughters were also questioned about the rules and protocols in place for touching, which they said were side hugs and closed hands.

Both of Parker’s daughter’s testified there were no inappropriate interactions between Parker and other teammates at Fast Feet Sports Academy.

Parker’s wife also took the witness stand, telling the courtroom she had to shut down the business following the accusations made against her husband.

From the time of his arrest, Parker’s wife said she had to take over, run books and work with a few coaches at the facility.

During her testimony, Parker’s wife also claims one of the coaches took scheduling book, files of new applicants, and personal financial information. Parker’s wife also claims the coach erased an Ipad belonging to the facility without her permission.

JOSEPH PARKER TAKES THE STAND

Before wrapping up their case, the defense called Joseph Parker to the witness stand.

Parker talked about his passion for coaching, which led him to create Fast Feet Sports Academy, which opened in 2018.

Parker said he built this business based on values of respect.

Parker was also questioned about the amount of kids who attended Fast Feet Sports Academy, which includes their summer program.

During days at the lake, Parker emphasized his top priority was safety.

“I was big on lake day safety,” he said.

Parker testified he threw kids in the water, and said he never grabbed anyone’s chest during the activities at the lake.

Parker was also questioned about the allegations of inappropriate touching at the facility, but denied this ever happened.

“I’ve never done anything like that,” he said. “No, not once.”

When questioned about the testimony given about the alleged victims sitting on his lap, Parker said it was not on the lap.

During his testimony, Parker demonstrated where the kids would sit, clarifying it would be at the end of his knee, not on his lap.

In addition to this, Parker said one of the children who attended Fast Feet Sports Academy considered him as her “safe person.”

“A lot of crying, a lot of emotions,” said Parker about this child.

Parker said he would help console the child by having them sit on his knee. In addition, Parker told the court he would report every breakdown to the child’s parents.

During cross examination, the Commonwealth talked about each of the alleged victims and their testimony.

Parker denied each of the allegations brought up by the alleged victims and said there was no inappropriate touching.

“It did not happen,” said Parker.

At one point, Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Timothy Dustan asked Parker if his testimony was that these children are lying.

Parker replied, “Yes.”

During closing arguments, Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Timothy Dustan went through the allegations from each of the the six alleged victims.

“Think back to each of these children and their bravery in testifying in this matter,” said Dustan.

During closing arguments, Edward Riley, Parker’s defense attorney, pointed to inconsistent statements made by the alleged victims and questioned if allegations reach the criteria for the charges.

“Tickling someone is not against the law,” said Riley. “Being uncomfortable is not against the law.”

The defense attorney also said one of the alleged victims lied before and questioned the truth behind the allegations made.

At 7:15 p.m., the jury started their deliberations.

DAY ONE COVERAGE

A jury was seated Monday afternoon after about three hours of questioning, beginning Day 1 of testimony in the trial involving Joseph Parker, also known as “Coach Joe.”

Prosecutors told jurors they plan to present evidence from six girls, with some expected to testify in person and others by video. Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Timothy Dustan previewed difficult testimony, telling jurors, “This will not be an easy day.”

Parker’s attorney, Edward Riley, portrayed him as a former law enforcement professional with a lifelong passion for coaching. Riley said Parker founded Fast Feet Academy in 2017 and described it as a respected program focused on kindness, respect and appreciation.

Riley denied the allegations, reiterating Parker’s stance that inappropriate touching did not happen.

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.

The Commonwealth started their case by 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.