Manciu indicted on 5 counts of sex abuse
By Tom Peterson
The North Wasco County School District recently posted on its website that “a former assistant coach to our wrestling team at TDHS was arrested on sexual misconduct allegations.”
Neither the School district or law enforcement officials would confirm the identity of the former coach.
However, Ryan Christopher Manciu, 44, of The Dalles was indicted on March 17, on five counts of second-degree sex abuse that allegedly occurred between Feb. 1 and March 13 of 2022 in Wasco County, according to Wasco County Court Records.
Manciu was an assistant wrestling coach at The Dalles High School in 2020, according to sports stories reported that year.
Manciu was released from NORCOR regional jail on his own recognizance last week on March 14 after his initial arrest on the charges. That means he has agreed to abide by all laws and promises to appear at his court hearings.
He is scheduled for a plea hearing on April 25.
In his jail release, it states he is to have no contact with minor females other than family.
CCCNews left two messages for Manciu by phone and visited his listed place of residence for comment. In addition, CCCNews called his attorney Jeff Wallace twice for comment.
Neither Manciu nor Wallace returned calls.
District Attorney Matthew Ellis and police are not commenting on the case as it is still under investigation.
North Wasco County School District posted the following on its website last week.
“The coach in question was no longer under contract with the district at the time of the arrest. Out of respect for the victim's privacy, additional details will not be released by the district. A formal investigation is ongoing with the City of The Dalles Police Department.”
“The District has been in contact with local authorities and has been reassured that this was an isolated incident that was not connected to the individual's time as coach,” said D21 Spokesperson Stephanie Bowen. “If a student or parent feels they have additional information we urge them to please contact The Dalles City Police Department. Our counseling office is open and available during school hours for any student who may need additional support.”
“We take these allegations very seriously, and we want to reassure our families that the incident in question was not related to The Dalles High School, or their time as coach,” said the D21 Website. “We have no reason to believe that any of our players were potentially at risk.”
When the District was asked if there would be an investigation to discover if there was any sexual misconduct that occured while the employee was working for the school disctrict, the district said the investigation was being done by The Dalles Police Department.
“The District will fully cooperate with their efforts in any manner deemed necessary,” Bowen said.
“We understand this news is troubling, and as a district, we share the same concerns for the wellbeing and safety of all our students at all times,” the website went on to state. “All our employees, including coaching staff, must undergo a criminal records check and sexual misconduct verification prior to their employment with the district.”
“Additionally, our athletics department takes extra precautionary measures to ensure the safety of our students participating in sports, such as ensuring our players have same-sex chaperones and by utilizing mass communication tools between coaches and players.
