March 29, 2024

Former swimming coach gets 5 years for sex with student

FORT DODGE (AP) — A former swimming coach accused of sexually assaulting a teenage student in Fort Dodge has been given five years in prison.

Court records say 22-year-old Aaron Poldervaart pleaded guilty Tuesday in Webster County District Court to sexual exploitation by a school employee. Prosecutors dropped two counts of sexual assault in exchange for Poldervaart’s plea. He’ll have to register as a sex offender.

Poldervaart worked for the Fort Dodge Community School District during the 2015-16 season as an assistant boys and girls swim coach, and he volunteered to help the teams after he quit to take another coaching job. Poldervaart also worked for the district as a paraeducator.