Community Corner

Spalding Coach Had Inappropriate Relationship with Student

An investigation led to child pornography charges in connection with the exchange of explicit cell phone images.

The former track coach charged with child pornography after “sexting” a student at the school, had an inappropriate relationship with the 17-year-old girl that also involved kissing, holding hands and going out to movies and coffee shops, according to charging documents.

Brian Timothy Funk, 40, of Pasadena , police said. He was charged with one count of child pornography and one count of display of an obscene item to a minor.

According to the charging documents, the investigation, which determined Funk and the student had exchanged sexually explicit images via cell phones, started after the student’s father saw his daughter and Funk kissing and embracing after seeing a movie together in July.

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Both Funk and the student, who was on the girls track team, admitted they were involved in an inappropriate relationship that progressed from talking about shared interests to kissing and exchanging explicit cell phone videos, according to charging documents.

Funk served as a volunteer assistant coach for the cross-country team and as a volunteer coach for the girls track team, according to charging documents.

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"Brian Funk was not an employee of Archbishop Spalding High School," Sean Caine, of the Archdiocese of Baltimore told Patch. "He coached there for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years."

Funk was removed from his position after school officials learned of the relationship with the student, according to a statement issued by the school on Monday.

“At the time of his hiring, Mr. Funk was screened consistent with the Archdiocese’s child and youth protection policy requirements,” the statement said. “He successfully completed the criminal history check and safe environment training for those who work with children.”

Following the charges, Funk is not allowed to work or volunteer with any part of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and not allowed on school property for any function, the statement said.

Funk lives with his wife and two young children in Pasadena, according to charging documents.

Glen Burnie Patch editor Maya Prabhu and Pasadena Patch editor Cory Galliher contributed to this article.


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