A man who is a veteran NCAA women’s basketball referee faces two counts of child molestation charges after he allegedly met with a 14-year-old boy to engage in sexual activity, according to an arrest warrant.
Wesley Dean, 56, of Cartersville, was arrested Sunday in the Oct. 28 incident, according to the warrants originally obtained by Channel 2 Action News. Police did not say why they arrested him more than three months later.
According to police, the victim’s mom discovered text messages between her son and Dean and reported it to authorities. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution does not identify victims of sexual abuse.
Police say Dean admitted he and the boy met at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria hotel and allegedly engaged in sexual activity.
Dean remains in the Cobb County jail without bond. He is also faces an enticing a child charge.
Dean refereed the 2003 championship game between Connecticut and Tennessee, according to the Associated Press.
In 2006, he was chosen the Naismith women's official of the year, the AP reported. He worked NCAA Tournament games from 1994 through 2014. He had done games in the Big East, American Athletic Conference, Atlantic 10 and Southern Conference this season.
"He has officiated for us and other conferences," Southern Conference Commissioner John Iamarino told the AP.
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