Crime & Safety

Georgetown Day Basketball Coach Charged with Sexual Assault Involving Young Girl

Marlow Talley has worked with a number of local teams and facilities, including Georgetown Day School's high school.

By Erica Hendry with additional reporting from Shaun Courtney

A well-known trainer who coached basketball teams in the DC area has been arrested for allegedly having sex with one of his young female athletes—and authorities say she may not be the only victim.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office arrested Marlow Mikassa Afshartous, 39, of Reston, on Saturday and charged him with sexual assault and solicitation of child pornography. 

He remains held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center without bond.

The popular coach, who goes by the name Marlow Talley, has worked with a number of teams and facilities across the region, LCSO said Wednesday, including the Claude Moore Recreation Center, Georgetown Day School, the Fairfax Stars and Hoop Magic in Chantilly, which is now closed.

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit began its investigation in June after allegations an adult male who had coached these programs was having sex with one of his female athletes.

Officials say Afshartous had sex with at least one of his female athletes who was under the age of 13. Officials did not clarify through which team Afshartous met the victim, nor did they offer comment on the child pornography allegations or where the assault occurred.

Russell Shaw, head of Georgetown Day School, released a statement Wednesday afternoon confirming that Talley had worked at the school in a "limited capacity" over the course of three school years, including the most recent one:

"Earlier today we learned that Marlow Talley of Reston, Virginia, was arrested over the weekend by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.

Mr. Talley worked at Georgetown Day School in a limited capacity. From approximately November to February during the 2010-2011, 2011-2012, and 2012-2013 school years he served as one of two Assistant High School Women’s Basketball Varsity Coaches. A background check of Mr. Talley was completed prior to his 2010 coaching season at GDS. Mr. Talley is not currently employed by GDS nor will he be in the future.

We take matters of this kind very seriously and will be conducting an internal review surrounding his time at GDS. We also understand that the Sheriff’s Office has requested anyone with information to contact Detective J.S. Cichocki at (703) 777-0475."

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LCSO is continuing to investigate the case, which includes trying to determine if more victims may exist.  

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call Detective J.S. Cichocki at (703) 777-0475.  


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