BY ROBIN KNEPPER
A former Orange County High School girl's soccer coach pleaded not guilty Friday to forcible rape and eight related charges involving two girls.
Steven M. Bowers Jr., 32, was arraigned on two counts of rape, two counts of object penetration and six counts of taking indecent liberties. He requested a jury trial, which Orange County Circuit Judge Daniel R. Bouton set for July 18-20.
The Spotsylvania County girls Bowers is accused of assaulting are now teenagers. They never attended Orange County High School, where Bowers had worked as a part-time soccer coach.
He was removed from his position shortly after his arrest last March 30. He was also removed from his position as a youth minister at Salem Fields Community Church in Spotsylvania.
He has been free on $25,000 bond after agreeing not to be in the presence of anyone under 18 without the supervision of an adult. He must also stay at least 50 feet away from the girls he is accused of molesting and cannot go to their residences or schools.
Bowers was indicted by an Orange County grand jury Aug. 15, 2011, but previously scheduled arraignments were postponed.
The charges relate to different incidents between June 2007 and September 2009. Authorities say all of the incidents took place in the town of Orange, where Bowers lived.
Robin Knepper: 540/972-5701
Email: rknepper@earthlink.net