A felony sexual assault charge against former Northside High School girls basketball coach **Ryann Hubbard** has been dropped after a Roanoke grand jury declined to indict him.
Hubbard, 44, had been charged in April with aggravated sexual battery after an adult woman accused him of inappropriate sexual contact at a shipping warehouse where both reportedly worked.
The case had previously moved forward after a General District Court judge found probable cause during a preliminary hearing in May. However, when the case reached a Roanoke grand jury this week, the panel chose not to return an indictment.
Because of that decision, the case is now considered closed, according to the Commonwealth’s Attorney.
The charge Hubbard faced required prosecutors to prove more than unwanted sexual contact. Under the specific felony charge, the case also involved the legal standard of whether the alleged act involved mental incapacity or physical helplessness. Officials indicated that standard may have been a factor in the grand jury’s decision.
The original complaint alleged that Hubbard blocked the woman from walking away and groped her at the workplace. The complaint described the contact as nonconsensual, but reportedly did not include language about the woman being mentally incapacitated or physically helpless.
Hubbard, who has coached at William Fleming, Roanoke Catholic, and Northside, said the dismissal brings relief after months of uncertainty and public scrutiny. He said the experience affected his reputation, livelihood, and family, and that he hopes to return to coaching in the future.
After the charge was filed earlier this year, officials said Hubbard was not under contract with Roanoke County Public Schools. He is also reportedly no longer employed by Amazon.
With the grand jury declining to indict, the criminal case against Hubbard is closed.
What do you think? When charges are dropped or a grand jury declines to indict, should the follow-up receive the same public attention as the original arrest?