Mays Landing, N.J. — A Ventnor man who coached at a popular skating center in Atlantic County has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl in the early 1990s.
75-year-old Ralph Marinelli was arrested on July 3rd following an investigation by New Jersey State Police. He faces two counts of sexual assault, one involving a minor between the ages of 13 and 16, and a second involving a minor between 16 and 17 when the defendant held a supervisory role over the victim.
Victim Came Forward Decades Later
According to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, the victim in this case, who is now in her late 40s, came forward to the U.S. Center for SafeSport, a nonprofit organization focused on reducing sexual abuse of minors and athletes. That organization forwarded the information to law enforcement in Atlantic County.
Officials said the victim told investigators that Marinelli was her personal skating coach at Young's Skating Center in Mays Landing for several years. She said the relationship began when she was 14 years old, and Marinelli was 40. Authorities allege she was groomed and sexually abused over the course of their relationship, which continued through her teenage years from around 1992 through 1995.
Investigators say they collected corroborating evidence, including pictures of Marinelli and the victim together, greeting cards, letters, and gifts he allegedly gave her throughout the relationship.
The victim had kept a detailed, dated, handwritten journal documenting her memories, including the alleged sexual abuse.
Prosecutors say several witnesses came forward to confirm knowledge of an inappropriate relationship between the two during that same timeframe.
Detectives also said they recorded three phone calls between the two in which they discussed their past relationship. Investigators also recorded an in-person meeting. Officials said Marinelli told the victim during that meeting, "It should not have happened." They also said he gave the victim $500 in cash and old skating mementos before the meeting ended.
Still Working at the Skating Center
Marinelli was released on pre-trial monitoring following his arrest.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office requested, as a condition of release, that he be barred from continuing to work at Young's Skating Center. A judge declined that request.
The judge did order that if Marinelli's employment at the skating center is terminated for any reason, he may not return while the charges are pending.
What's Next
A pre-indictment conference is scheduled for August 12th. At that point, the Prosecutor's Office may seek additional conditions, citing an ongoing concern about Marinelli's continued access to minors at the facility.
Prosecutors Seek More Information
Anyone with information about this alleged incident is asked to contact the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office at (609) 909-7666. Anonymous information is welcome.
The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com
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