Waugh

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By BOB STRICKLEY

PDT Sports Editor

ASHLAND, Ky. — The Kentucky State Police in Ashland have arrested a Boyd County resident on charges after he failed to meet the terms of the Kentucky Sexual Offender Registry.

Charles Eric Waugh, 31, of Ashland, Ky., was arrested at the Boyd County Detention Center and charged with one count of failure to comply with the Sexual Offender Registry.

Waugh was the center of last week’s controversy at Ohio State University that included highly-touted linebacker recruit Alex Anzalone’s decision to reverse his commitment to the school.

After the Ohio State Department of Athletics learned of Waugh’s contact with student-athletes and football recruits last Thursday, compliance director Doug Archie sent an email last week to student-athletes warning them about Waugh and urging caution when dealing with social networking acquaintances.

Sal Anzalone, Alex’s father, confirmed to the Reading (Pa.) Eagle that his son reopened his recruitment process because of Waugh’s interactions.

“You don’t want your son to go to a place where there’s a potential issue (like this),” Sal Anzalone told the Eagle. “You expect the (football) staff to have some sort of control on how things are handled with recruits when they visit. This is ridiculous.”

Ohio State released a statement Friday regarding the situation.

“The issue surrounding the individual from Kentucky is being treated by the Department of Athletics as a student-athlete welfare issue,” the statement said. “When the University became aware that this individual had been seen in pictures – taken in public places – with student-athletes, proactive precautions were taken and the Department of Athletics alerted more than 1,000 Ohio State student-athletes about this person.”

The Daily Times contacted the Kentucky State Police about Waugh potential probation violation. Kentucky Revised Statute 17.546 stipulates that sex offenders will not knowingly or intentionally use social networking websites to interact with a person who is less than 18 years of age.

According to a release sent Monday, the KSP was contacted by the Kentucky Department of Corrections, Division of Probation and Parole in regards to Waugh being non-compliant with the terms of the Sexual Offender Registry.

“Waugh allegedly failed to disclose to Probation and Parole the Internet communication name identities he was utilizing,” the statement said “The investigation revealed Waugh had Twitter, Facebook and email accounts under an alias name.”

The statement said the KSP’s investigation is continuing and additional charges might be filed.

Contacted Monday about the arrest, Kentucky State Trooper and Public Affairs Officer Elliot Gollihue said Waugh had already been brought into the Boyd County Jail by the Division of Probation and Parole at the time of his arrest.

“Our detective discussed the matter with the Commonwealth Attorney and brought him in on charges,” Gollihue said. “This all stems from a violation of his probation that says he cannot have Twitter and Facebook. “His use of Facebook and Twitter was a violation of his five-year probation period that nearing the end.”

Waugh, whose address is listed on the sex offender registry as 308 W. New Buckley Road, Ashland. He pleaded guilt on five counts of possession of a matter portraying sexual performances by minors.

Bob Strickley may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 203, or bstrickley@heartlandpublications.com.