Ex-college coach sentenced for sexually assaulting player

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – A former college basketball coach has been sentenced to 52 years in prison for sexually assaulting a male teenager who played on a travelling team that he also coached.

Christopher Tarver must also register as a sex offender under the sentence imposed Friday. The 47-year-old Jackson man was found guilty last November of sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, child endangerment, official misconduct and possession of child pornography

Tarver was the men’s basketball coach at Middlesex County College. He also was recreation director for the town of Dunellen.

Authorities say that between 2010 and 2011, Tarver sexually touched the boy who had thought the coach could help him achieve his goal of playing basketball for a major college. The investigation began when the victim contacted authorities.