By:Angela Marshall
Police say longtime basketball mentor, depressed, attempted suicide
A longtime basketball coach at St. Christopher's Roman Catholic Church of Baldwin was arrested last week and charged with sodomizing one of the players.
For more than 12 years, Brian Schlacter, 54, of Freeport was a trusted coach and mentor at the church. Parishioners, players and church officials expressed shock that the man they know best as "Chief" had been accused of the crime.
"We're absolutely shocked and devastated by it," said Monsignor John Bennett, pastor of the church.
Schlacter volunteered for organizations like the Church Youth Organization and the Nassau Police Activity League for 20 years.
"He was very loved," said a Baldwin woman, who did not want to give her name. "Everybody knows him. He's the most well-known person in Baldwin sports."
The woman said Schlacter was like part of the family and had been to her home several times over the years. She said some parents were so partial to Schlacter that they wouldn't put their kids on teams unless he was coaching. "He worked very hard with the kids. We're devastated."
According to police, Schlacter allegedly took a 13-year-old boy into a storage room at the church on Feb. 24, locked the door and sodomized him.
Police first became aware of the incident after Schlacter apparently tried to commit suicide July 4 by lying down on the Baldwin train tracks.
A witness called the police and Schlacter was taken to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow. Deputy Insp. Pete Matuza said Schlacter was depressed about a health issue when he was brought in.
It was there that police say they developed information leading to the sodomy charges. Although the 13-year-old did not come forward before Schlacter's arrest, police say he has given a statement corroborating events.
During his arraignment Saturday, July 7, Schlacter was charged with sodomy and attempted sodomy for another incident with the same boy. Bail was set at $6,000 and Schlacter was scheduled to appear in Part Nine of County Court Tuesday, July 10. An order of protection for the boy was also ordered.
The monsignor said there was no hint in the past of such behavior by Schlacter.
The Herald was unable to speak with Schlacter.
