Youth Tennis Coach Stalked, Showed Nude Photo To Child In Cherry Hill: Prosecutor

CHERRY HILL, NJ — A South Jersey youth tennis instructor showed a naked photo of himself to a 15-year-old girl who he coached, authorities said. Ovidiu V. Dragos also stalked and harassed the victim over a two-year period, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office (CCPO).

Dragos was charged Monday with endangering the welfare of a child (second-degree), promoting obscene material to persons under 18 years old (third-degree), stalking (fourth-degree) and harassment.

In January, Dragos asked the victim if she had a crush on any boys as he coached her at the Cherry Hill Health & Racquet Club, authorities said. When she stated that she did, Dragos showed her a naked picture of himself that was on his cell phone, according to the affidavit for his arrest.

While coaching the victim later that month, Dragos pulled her aside into a separate room at the same facility and showed her the photo again, authorities said.

Dragos, 60, of Moorestown, also left unwanted letters, cards, poems and gifts in the victim's bag on several occasions, the CCPO said. The offenses occurred between October 2022 and last January during private and group lessons at outdoor courts in Cherry Hill, Cinnaminson and Moorestown, according to court documents.

In the letters to the victim, Dragos admitted that his behavior was inappropriate, according to the affidavit.

Dragos conducts individual and group lessons at the Cherry Hill Health & Racquet Club, the CCPO said. Based on witness statements, the CCPO determined that Dragos also co-coaches boys and girls tennis for Moorestown High School, which district administration has denied.

The Moorestown School District checked their records and found that Dragos never worked for the district in a professional or volunteer capacity, said Acting Superintendent Joe Bollendorf.

The Cherry Hill Health & Racquet Club didn't return comment in time for initial publication.

Dragos was arrested in Moorestown and placed in the Camden County Correction Facility, pending a pretrial detention hearing.

Anyone with information on this investigation can contact Det. Kristen Blantz of the CCPO's Special Victims Unit at 856-225-8642, Det.Joshua Jenkins of the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office at 609-845-2811, Det. Gregory Brisbin of the Cherry Hill Police Department at 856-432-8830, or Det. Ryan Carr of the Moorestown Police Department at 856-914-3037. Tips can also be sent anonymously to CAMDEN.TIPS.