Kelly John Bendixen, 52, was charged with sexual misconduct with a minor in the first degree.
He was booked into Pierce County jail on Aug. 12 and was released the evening of Aug. 13. Bendixen was released on $25,000 bail.
Bendixen appeared Aug. 13 for his arraignment where he pleaded not guilty.
His next appearance will be at his omnibus hearing is scheduled for Sept. 11 and trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 3.
Bendixen has been a private soccer coach for more than 30 years, according to charging documents. And 10 years ago he began operating Bendixen Goal Keeping Academy.
On Aug. 11, the victim reported to a priest and her mom about an incident on Aug. 6 that happened between Bendixen and her.
The victim is 16 years old and because she is a minor, her name has not been released. Charging documents stated she has been coached by Bendixen since she was 8 years old.
He is her private soccer coach and 90 percent of their sessions are private while 10 percent are with other students, the documents stated.
According to the documents, Bendixen and the student have discussed personal issues in the past including sexuality and Bendixen’s problems in his marriage.
On Aug. 6 around 2:30 p.m. Bendixen reportedly picked up the student from her home in Fircrest and drove her to practice at Starfire Sports.
During the car ride to Tukwila, Bendixen reportedly placed his hand on her leg and began to stroke it, the documents stated.
He reportedly asked if it was OK and she responded “yes,” according to the charging documents.
It was reported that he gradually moved his hand further up her leg. The report added he began to rub her inner thigh and also grazed her private parts.
Once they arrived at Starfire, he coached the victim and another student for an hour session before coaching the victim for two hours privately.
On the car ride back south, Bendixen and the student stopped for dinner in Auburn. According to the charging documents, he began to rub her leg and inner thigh again.
The charging documents stated when they arrived in Tacoma he began to touch her under her soccer shorts.
He also reportedly asked her to move her shorts so he could have easier access, the documents stated. She reportedly did so.
Once they entered Fircrest, it was reported that he pulled into a residential area and parked the vehicle. He reportedly began touching the student inappropriately while kissing her.
He then drove her home, kissed her and dropped her off, the documents stated.
Two days later, on Aug. 8, the student had another session with Bendixen.
He reportedly told her that he had fun on Aug. 6 and told her not to tell anyone or he would go to jail, the documents stated.
At another session Aug. 11, Bendixen reportedly asked her if he could repeat what happened on Aug. 6. The documents stated she hesitated but told him she did not want him to touch her.
After speaking with the student on Aug. 11, officers attempted contact with Bendixen.
He was reportedly not home at the time they arrived. Also during that time, the student received two phone calls from him and a text message.
During his interview with officers, he reportedly denied doing anything inappropriate with the student.
