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Coach Gets 7 Years In Prison For Sexually Abusing Swimmer In 1980s

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) -- Richard "Rick" Curl was convicted last year. In court Thursday, he apologized to molestation victim Kelley Davies Currin.

Kai Jackson reports--the prosecutor in this case says justice was indeed delayed, but not denied.

The case dates back some 30 years.

Kelley Davies Currin was a 13-year-old swimmer in Montgomery County. Rick Curl was her swimming coach.

On Thursday, a Montgomery County judge sentenced Curl to seven years in prison for sexually abusing Kelley Currin.

"USA Swimming needs to be investigated by Congress for creating a culture that allowed Rick Curl to coach for nearly 30 years after he molested me," said Currin.

Prosecutors say Curl, now 63, sexually abused Currin over a four year period in the 1980s.

Curren, now 43, says the abuse occurred at her coach's house, his office, her house and even swim meets.

Her parents learned of the abuse by reading her diary. They didn't pursue criminal charges.

Instead, they reached a financial settlement with Curl out of court. But Currin, who says the ordeal has been agonizing, has come forward now to prosecute Curl because he was still coaching kids.

"I want to send a message to USA Swimming. The culture that exists within the hierarchy which protects predator coaches at the expense of molestation victims like myself will not be tolerated," said Currin.

Richard Curl has been banned for life from the sport by USA Swimming, and the judge prohibited Curl from having any contact with Currin.

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