Former Fast Feet Sports Academy owner sentenced for sex crimes against children

POWHATAN, Va. (WWBT) - A Powhatan County judge sentenced former Fast Feet Sports Academy owner Joseph Parker to 24 years in prison Monday after a jury found him guilty of 12 counts of aggravated sexual battery involving six young girls who attended his sports academy.

Judge Joseph Teefey sentenced Parker to 10 years on each count, suspending eight years per count. The sentences will run consecutively.

Upon release, Parker will serve three years of supervised probation and must complete sexual offender treatment.

He is also required to register as a sex offender and must have no contact with his victims while incarcerated or after his release.

A Powhatan County jury found Parker guilty in March on all 12 counts of aggravated sexual battery of a child under the age of 13.

He was found not guilty on six counts of taking indecent liberties with a child while in a custodial role.

The verdict came after a two-day trial and more than five hours of jury deliberations.

Prosecutors presented testimony from six girls who accused Parker of inappropriately touching them while they attended Fast Feet Sports Academy.

Several parents, coaches, and investigators also testified.

The defense argued Parker never acted inappropriately. Parker took the stand in his own defense, denying every allegation.

During Monday’s sentencing hearing, a father of one of the victims testified how this situation has changed his daughter’s life.

“He changed how I live as a father,” said the man. “He should be held fully accountable.”

A mother of one of the victims also testified how her daughter suffers from PTSD because of the events.

“My daughter lives in a different reality,” said the woman.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Alice Sheridan also read a letter from one of the victims, who talked about the impact this has made on her life.

Defense attorney Ed Riley called a 19-year-old woman to the stand, who said she became friends with Joseph Parker’s daughters and called Joseph Parker a good man.

One of Joseph Parker’s friends also testified about his character, saying Parker became a role model for his son, who attended Fast Feet Sports Academy from 5th to 8th grade.

“I respect him, he’s my friend,” said the man.

Riley also pointed out over 70 letters were submitted to the court in support of Joseph Parker’s character.

One of those letters came from Parker’s wife, who told the court how her family’s life was shattered the day he was arrested.

“The man was put on the Earth as a protector,” said Joseph Parker’s wife, who broke down crying.

Before learning his fate, Joseph Parker read a letter he wrote in the courtroom.

In his letter, Parker maintains his innocence.

“I didn’t do these things,” said Parker.

Talking through tears, Parker claims the victims kept changing their stories and didn’t tell the truth.

“I’ve never done wrong sir,” said Parker while addressing the judge. “Please send me home with my family.”

As Parker read his letter, several of the victims in this case were seen comforting one another.

“These children appeared in court, told the truth and we’re here with the conviction and with him going to prison for 24 years,” said Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Tim Dustan.

Dustan met briefly with the victims and their families after the hearing and said they felt relief with end result.

“Truly relief, mostly for the benefit of these minor child victims and for their families that there’s some conclusion here,” said Dustan. “Obviously, it’s going to be a long road for these young people to really get past everything they’ve had to experience.”

Ed Riley, Joseph Parker’s defense attorney, said Parker’s family is disappointed with the outcome.

“The family is disappointed. While we knew this was sentencing and we knew the court was going to pronounce a sentence, we were hopeful it was going to be less based on the nature of what the allegations have been,” said Riley. “It’s not an aggravated type we often see in these types of cases, as you heard me argue in the court. The judge sentenced within the guidelines, so it’s not a surprise, but we just hoped it would be lesser considering his history leading up to this.”

Riley said he expects Parker’s family to appeal the convictions.

“He has maintained his innocence from the very beginning,” said Riley. “He’s never said a single word to me otherwise.”