A former coach for an elite youth volleyball team pleaded guilty Wednesday to having an inappropriate relationship with one of his players.

Puyallup resident Lenny Llanos, 37, entered guilty pleas to one count of third-degree assault and one count of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes. Both are felonies.

Llanos faces between three and eight months in jail when sentenced Nov. 13. He also will be required to register as a sex offender, Pierce County deputy prosecutor Jared Ausserer said.

Attempts to reach Llanos’ attorney for comment were unsuccessful.

Prosecutors charged Llanos last year with one count of third-degree child rape, third-degree child molestation and communication with a minor for immoral purposes.

They alleged in charging documents that Llanos initiated a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl who played on his team and exchanged sexually charged text messages with her.

Llanos did not admit to having sex with the girl as part of his plea bargain.

Ausserer was prepared to introduce evidence at trial that Llanos had an inappropriate relationship with another teenage player in 2002, according to court documents. He was not charged in that case.

Llanos is a long-time volleyball coach in the Puget Sound region. Most recently he coached for the Puget Sound Volleyball Club, a private organization where elite players hone their skills.

He also served as an assistant coach at Fife High School and worked as head coach at White River High School in Buckley.

Adam Lynn: 253-597-8644

adam.lynn@thenewstribune.com

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