A former Washington-Liberty High School coach has been acquitted of two sex crime charges involving a former player.
George Porcha, who was the head girls basketball coach at the Arlington school from 2000-03, still faces another trial for similar charges this spring.
Following a four-day trial last week, a local jury on Friday found Porcha not guilty of two charges: taking indecent liberties with a child and using a telephone to solicit a minor.
“We, of course, are pleased with the jury’s verdict,” Manuel Leiva, one of the attorneys representing Porcha, told ARLnow. “These cases are difficult for all involved, especially for the accused.”
The investigation into Porcha began in October 2022. Two of his former players have alleged various offenses stemming from his time at the school.
One former player had accused Porcha, who was around 30 years old at the time of the alleged incidents, of repeatedly kissing her in an equipment room at the school, which was named Washington-Lee High School until 2018.
Prosecutors alleged that these encounters occurred regularly, before and after basketball practices between the complainant’s freshman and junior years, according to court documents. The complainant also alleged that Porcha asked if she would engage in sexual acts with him, which she declined to do, court documents said.
“Mr. Porcha maintained his innocence throughout this process, which included a police sting phone call, a discussion with the lead detective, and testifying at trial,” Leiva said. “It’s unfortunate that he and his family had to go through this trying process. He just wants to get back to his life and put this nightmare behind him.”
The 54-year-old, most recently said to be a resident of North Carolina, still faces four other charges of a similar nature, based on allegations made by another of his former players.
The second complainant alleges that Porcha sexually assaulted her when she was a freshman and attempted to engage in sexual intercourse with her. She alleges that he would frequently kiss her and touch her inappropriately, but says she kept her silence for fear of consequences for the coach.
A jury trial for the four outstanding charges — three counts of taking indecent liberties with a child and one count of carnal knowledge of a child between 13 and 15 years old — is scheduled to begin April 1.
After his time at W-L, Porcha went on to coach girls basketball coach at T.C. Williams High School, now Alexandria City High School, from 2004-07. He has also held coaching positions at Virginia Tech, West Virginia University, Ole Miss and Boston College.
