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Former Loudoun County Public School basketball coach arrested for solicitation of a minor

The former coach thought he was talking to a 14-year-old boy but was really talking with an undercover detective, police say.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — Police have arrested a former Loudoun County Public School (LCPS) basketball coach on charges of solicitation of a minor. 

According to Fairfax County Police, 22-year-old Joshua Shearin used an unnamed social media dating app to talk to who he thought was a 14-year-old boy. The person he was talking to was actually an undercover detective.

Police say Shearin sent the detective explicit photos and talked about meeting with "the boy" for a sexual encounter.

Detectives say Shearin picked a location for the two to meet and was taken into custody upon arrival. He is being held at the Adult Detention Center without bond and faces two counts of use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children and one count of attempted indecent liberties. 

In a letter to parents, Heritage High School Principal Jeff Adam identifies Shearin as the school's former junior varsity basketball coach. According to Wayde Byard, public information officer for LCPS, Shearin worked at the school for one day.

Adam says Shearin no longer works for LCPS or in LCPS schools. The school and the district are fully cooperating with police. 

"The primary responsibility for LCPS is always the safety and wellbeing of our students," wrote Adam. "We will continue to be diligent in our efforts to provide a safe learning environment for our students and will commit to swift action whenever we are aware of any potential violations of the trust between our students and staff."

Adam says counselors will be available to provide any support necessary for students and their families. 

Byard says Shearin also worked at Tuscarora High School for two years. He says there has been no evidence that any students at Tuscarora were involved in any incidents with Shearin.

Detectives ask anyone with information or may have had inappropriate contact with Shearin, to call the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 3.  Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text – Type “FCCS” plus tip to 847411 

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