Former Somerset coach reportedly takes plea after allegedly soliciting girl for sex

A longtime coach and teacher at Somerset High School could spend just 30 days in jail after allegedly texting a 17-year-old former student of his for sex, the Commonwealth Journal reported.

Stephen Edward Wallace, who spent 19 years coaching the Somerset boys’ soccer team, entered an Alford plea Wednesday to adjusted misdemeanor charges of solicitation of prostitution, according to the Commonwealth Journal. The newspaper reported that the Pulaski County Attorney’s Office recommended Wallace serve 30 days in jail.

In an Alford plea, a defendant maintains his innocence but pleads guilty because he thinks there is enough evidence for a jury to convict.

Using an alias, Wallace allegedly reached out to a 17-year-old girl on Facebook Messenger in January asking if she needed money, WKYT reported after Wallace’s April arrest.

“We could have a beneficial relationship where we both get benefits from each other,” he told the girl, according to WKYT. He later said, “I can’t make you rich, but I can give you $75 per meeting.”

WYMT reported that Wallace allegedly also told the student, “I’m not looking for a love-type relationship, I am looking for a trade-off relationship where we both get benefits from each other.”

The girl’s boyfriend messaged Wallace back pretending to be her, saying she was 21 and not 17, according to WYMT.

The teacher also was accused of having sexual conversations with the girl’s mother, who was aware of her daughter’s conversations with the man, WKYT reported. Wallace sent the mother a naked photo, while the mother sent him clothed photos, the Commonwealth Journal reported.

Wallace was teaching at the school when the messages were sent, according to media reports. He resigned from coaching and teaching in February, citing health issues, and his arrest followed two months later, the newspaper said.

The teacher claimed he was only trying to help people with money and was not soliciting for sex, according to WKYT. His attorney, Joseph Venters, said Wallace cut off contact with the girl when he learned she was 17, the Commonwealth Journal reported.

Wallace posted his $7,500 bond in April, and the county’s attorney’s office recommenced his prison sentence be diverted 12 months. The Commonwealth Journal said the conviction will be expunged from Wallace’s record if he does not have any arrests and doesn’t violate conditions of the plea agreement, which states he cannot have any contact with the victim or her family.