BENTONVILLE — A Bentonville High School volunteer swim coach was arrested Monday on suspicion of sexual assault and Internet stalking of a child, according to court records.
Stephen Duwel, 50, of Rogers, appeared in court for a bond hearing Tuesday morning in Circuit Judge Brad Karren’s court.
Duwel is a volunteer swim coach for Bentonville High School, said Scott Passmore, the district's athletic director. He is also head coach for Northwest Arkansas Aquatics, but his name and biography have been removed from the swim group’s website.
Duwel has been suspended indefinitely from Northwest Arkansas Aquatics, said Fred Quandt, president of the club’s board.
The arrest came after the relative of a 14-year-old boy reported to Rogers police that the teen was involved in a sexual relationship with an older male, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The teen told police that he met Duwel through a smartphone app, according to the probable cause affidavit. The teen said he had to enter his age as 18 in order to use the application, the affidavit states.
According to the affidavit, the teen said he initiated contact with Duwel.
The two exchanged numbers after two or three months after they began talking through the app, the affidavit states.
The two also met at a roller rink in Springdale and Duwel took the boy to his home, the affidavit states.
Police recovered text messages between Duwel and the teen, according to court documents. The teen told Duwel in one text message that he was in the 8th grade and would be 15 on his birthday and Duwel replied that they could only be friends and that “making out” would be about as far as they could go, the affidavit states.
According to the affidavit, Duwel told police that he thought the teen was 18 years old when he first made contact with him, but did not stop texting him when he learned his true age.
Stuart Cearley, chief deputy prosecutor, requested that Duwel’s bond be set at $75,000. Cearley also did not want Duwel to have contact with any minors.
Duwel told the judge that he moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2001.
The judge set the bond at $75,000 but also placed three conditions that Duwel must abide by if released on bond.
Duwel can not have any contact with the teen, he can not have any contact with any minors and he can not possess an iPhone or computer and can not access the Internet.
The judge warned Duwel that he could be jailed until his trial if he violated any of the conditions.
Prosecutors have not filed formal charges against Duwel.
His arraignment is scheduled for 8 a.m. Aug. 31 in Circuit Judge Robin Green’s court.