News

Actions

Ex-softball coach accused of sexual assault allegedly broke bond third time

Posted at 12:01 PM, Sep 13, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-13 21:33:10-04

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. - A former softball coach from Spring Lake charged with sexually assaulting one of his former players is accused of breaking bond a third time.

Thomas Galloway, 44, faces four first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges, after the now 17-year-old victim testified in April.  He's accused of sexually assaulting the victim, a former softball player he coached, when she was 13-years-old in 2012.

Tuesday Judge Post charged Galloway with breaking bond a third time. Police with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department tell FOX 17 an off-duty officer caught Galloway drinking Monday night at a restaurant/bar in Allendale; shortly afterward an on-duty officer arrested him. Judge Post set Galloway's bond at $150,000 cash or surety.

“His actions sure seem to indicate he thinks he’s above the law," said Captain Mark Bennett with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department.

"This is at least the third time that it’s been officially documented there’s been some problems, or some issues with bond violation. He hasn’t been combative when we’ve contacted him, but certainly as I said his actions seem to indicate he thinks he may be above the law.”

His bond conditions state he may not drink alcohol. Court records show Galloway broke bond twice for drinking alcohol including in July when he left the state without permission to attend a wedding and blew a .02 BAC afterward. He was fined $750.

Meanwhile, according to Ottawa County Clerk records, Galloway's wife Ellen registered the DBA ("doing business as") G8 Contractors with the county May 25, perhaps removing their name from day-to-day business as Galloway Custom Homes.

Also, in Muskegon County, Galloway has a pending felony warrant after allegedly writing a bad check, according to the Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office.

Galloway's trial is set to start late fall.