Fairfield Man, Former Staples Swim Coach, Charged with Sexual Assault

[Editor's note: Arrest information is supplied by the Fairfield Police Department. It does not indicate convictions.]

A former Staples High School swim coach and Fairfield resident faces multiple sexual assault charges after he turned himself in at police headquarters on warrant Monday, police said.

Jeffrey Schare, 43, was charged Monday with two counts of first-degree sexual assault, two counts of criminal attempt to commit third-degree sexual assault, one count of third-degree sexual assault, one count of fourth-degree sexual assault, and one count of risk of injury to a minor.

An investigation into claims that Schare assaulted two young Fairfield girls -- both of whom are currently under the age of 16 -- began in mid-November. According to department spokesperson Sgt. Sue Lussier, police were notified of the claims by one of the girls' school counselor. The counselor also notified the Department of Children and Families.

According to one of the victims, the alleged assaults occurred over a period of three years, police said.

The counselor had been informed about the alleged incidents of sexual assault by a third party, who did not cooperate with police during the investigation, according to the report.

Shortly after police were notified, the parents of one of the victims agreed to an interview with police and gave a sworn written statement to the department, Lussier said. A forensic interview with the two girls was conducted in late November.

Fairfield police notified officials at Staples High School in Westport and were told that Schare had resigned from both his post as the coach of the Wreckers boys swim and dive team and his position as a math teacher at the school, Lussier said.

During the investigation, the suspect's attorney told police that his client would not make any statements to the department, Lussier said. Police applied for a warrant for his arrest and Schare turned himself in at police headquarters on Monday.

Schare was released after posting at $150,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 22.

At this time, Fairfield police only know of two aforementioned victims of the alleged assaults. The department is not aware of any complaints made in Westport, Lussier said.  

The investigation remains ongoing as police continue to execute search and seizure warrants at Schare's home and for his electronic devices, police said.