Civil Lawsuit: Georgia Cheerleading Coach Raped 15-Year-Old, Company Failed

According to a report from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, records show that a Georgia coach stands accused of raping a 15-year-old male cheerleader. Law enforcement in Cobb County has obtained an arrest warrant for Robert Stone. The Stingray Cheer Company as well as several current and former coaches are also facing a civil lawsuit. Here, our Atlanta crime victim attorney provides an overview of the allegations in this case and your options if you or your loved one has been the victim of sexual assault. 

Allegations: Coach Forced Himself on 15-Year-Old Cheerleader

In October of 2021, the Cobb County Police Department obtained an arrest warrant for Robert Stone, a former coach with the Stingray Cheer Company. According to the allegations raised in the warrant, Mr. Stone physically forced himself on a 15-year-old at his apartment in Marietta, Georgia in December 2020. The victim reportedly attempted to escape from the attack. An investigation revealed that Mr. Stone was a cheerleading coach with the Stingray Cheer Company at the time of the attack. The victim was a participant in the competitive cheer program. 

Civil Lawsuit: Company Failed to Protect Teenager from Predator 

A civil sexual assault lawsuit has been filed against Robert Stone, the Stingray Cheer Company, and several other coaches with the cheerleading program. In a complaint filed in a federal court in Atlanta, the victim’s family alleges that the company and its coaches “left vulnerable children exposed to potential abuse.” The lawsuit also names Varsity Brands as a defendant. Varsity Brands is a national organizational body that sets safety standards for competitive cheerleading. 

Notably, the victim was living with one of the coaches of the program at the time of the sexual assault for logistical reasons. That coach approved of the victim going to Mr. Stone’s apartment. The complaint also alleges that the attack was “widely known” within the program. Nonetheless, the complaint also states that no coaches or any other authority figures reported the sexual assault to law enforcement. 

Businesses, Institutions, and Other Entities May Be Liable for a Sexual Assault

The person who committed a sexual assault must be brought to justice. It is a serious criminal offense. At the same time, it is not uncommon for other parties—including businesses, property owners, organizations, educational institutions, athletic teams, etc—to have contributed to sexual assaults through their failures. These parties may be legally liable through a civil lawsuit. Here are four steps to take if you or your loved one were the victims of such a crime: 

1. Get immediate professional help; 
2. Report the incident to the police; 
3. Write down what happened and preserve any evidence; and
4. Consult with an Atlanta sexual assault victim attorney. 

Schedule a Confidential Consultation With an Atlanta Rape Victims’ Rights Attorney Today

At Wetherington Law, our Atlanta rape victim attorney is a strong and experienced advocate for justice. Businesses, organizations, and institutions must be held accountable for the failures that allow assaults to occur and persist. Give us a call now or contact us online for a free, completely confidential consultation. With a law office in Atlanta, we represent sexual assault victims in civil claims throughout the region, including in Cobb County, Fulton County, and DeKalb County.