North Ridgeville, OH – A former high school basketball coach from Ohio is facing federal charges after authorities say he exchanged child pornography and discussed committing abuse with an undercover officer posing as a parent. Michael Neville, 46, of Elyria, was arrested Monday by U.S. Marshals. Prosecutors allege Neville sent explicit images, including videos of infants, children, and teenagers, to the undercover officer who was posing online as a father of a 9-year-old girl with hearing impairment.
Bay Village and North Ridgeville Basketball Coach Facing Child Sex Crime Charges
Neville worked as the JV Girls Basketball Coach at Bay Village High School between 2023 and 2024. He also served as the head basketball coach at Lake Ridge Academy in North Ridgeville during at least the 2024 season, according to a social media post by the school’s athletics department.
Disturbing Messages and Alleged Plans for Child Abuse
Court records show that Neville began communicating with the undercover officer on August 25 after a comment exchange on social media. From there, the conversations escalated, with Neville expressing a desire to engage in acts with the fictional child.
“I would love to be with her,” Neville allegedly said, before sending several explicit videos. Prosecutors say he went on to describe past encounters, claiming he had sex with a 13-year-old, kissed a 14-year-old, and intended to soon engage with a 15-year-old.
In one message, Neville told the officer, “I don’t want to go to jail for this. I coach basketball, and having to register would not look good for finding and keeping jobs.” He also referred to a young female relative, describing her as someone he had plans to abuse, according to the criminal complaint.
Prior Child Sex Abuse Allegations Spanning Decades
The court filing references an Elyria Police report from 2001, in which child relatives accused Neville of abuse allegedly occurring in 1998 while he was in North Carolina. Although no charges were documented at that time, prosecutors said those allegations show a “pattern of behavior spanning decades,” linking to the present case.
Official Charges Against HS Coach
Neville is charged with receipt and distribution of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, as well as possession of child pornography. His next preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in federal court.
Statements from Local Schools
Bay Village School District confirmed Neville’s past employment but declined to comment further.
Lake Ridge Academy issued a statement acknowledging Neville’s former role as a coach and expressing its concern over the charges. The school said there has been no indication that any of its students or staff were involved. Administrators emphasized that Neville passed all background checks required for employment, including the most recent one in September 2024.
Legal Options for Families After Abuse by a High School Coach
Families grappling with the trauma of abuse carried out by a trusted coach often face overwhelming questions about accountability, safety, and justice. To address these concerns, we sat down with experienced abuse lawyer John Bey to discuss the legal pathways available to parents and guardians when a child is harmed by someone in a school or athletic program.
Laurence Banville, Esq.: Many parents are alarmed when stories like this surface. What legal actions are actually available in Ohio if a coach abuses a child?
John Bey, Esq.: Families have the right to pursue both criminal reports and civil claims. Criminal charges are handled by prosecutors, but civil cases allow families to bring lawsuits against the perpetrator directly and, where appropriate, against the school or institution that employed them, particularly if there was negligence in hiring, supervision, or failing to act on warning signs.
Banville: And what does a civil case achieve that criminal proceedings might not?
Bey: Civil cases focus on compensation and accountability. They can help provide financial support for counseling, medical costs, and long-term recovery, while also holding organizations accountable so future tragedies are prevented. Criminal trials punish an offender, but civil cases often address the survivor’s needs more directly.
Banville: Some families may hesitate, fearing it will be too difficult to move forward against a school or coach. What would you tell them?
Bey: I’d remind them that taking legal action is not only about their own family but also about protecting future students. By stepping forward, they can help uncover systemic failures and push institutions to strengthen their safety standards. Support is available, and no family has to go through this process alone.
Protecting Your Family’s Future
If you or someone you love has been harmed by a trusted coach, teacher, or institution, you do not have to face this alone. Our legal team is dedicated to supporting survivors and their families, holding wrongdoers accountable, and fighting for the justice you deserve. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
