Local Swim Coach Charged with Promoting and Possessing Child Pornography

Rhony Sanchez of Yonkers was arrested at his home on Thursday March 3rd and charged with two felonies:

-One count of promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child, which is a d-felony
-One count of possessing an obscene performance by a child, which is an e-felony

According to Deputy Director of Communications for the Westchester District Attorney's office Robert Wolf, the charges relate to having pornographic material on the computer and storing it in a way that it can be shared.

Sanchez worked for the JCC of Mid-Westchester for 12 years, teaching swimming and coaching their swim teams. For the past ten years, during the summer months he worked at Beach Point Club in Mamaroneck where he taught swimming and certified lifeguards.

Sanchez is now free on $25,000 bail posted by a family member and due back in Yonkers City Court on March 11. We asked Wolf whether there was any indication that children at the JCC or Beach Point might have been involved, and Wolf said, "The matter is still under investigation."

Commenting on Sanchez's arrest, Karen Kolodny, the Executive Director of the JCC wrote the following to parents:

The JCC of Mid-Westchester recently became aware that a swim instructor was arrested at his home on Thursday, March 3, 2016. We have been in contact with the Westchester County District Attorney's office and have been advised that at this point they are not aware of any inappropriate acts occurring at the JCC. The JCC is cooperating with this investigation.

The individual involved has been suspended and is not permitted on JCC property.

Our goal, as always, is to make the JCC a safe place for everyone who comes through our doors.

Karen Kolodny,
Executive Director