Ukrainian youth hockey coach charged in Mt. Airy sex assault of 14-year-old boy

A federal grand jury today indicted Ukrainian hockey coach Ivan Pravilov on sexual abuse charges after he was accused of molesting a 14-year-old boy in his apartment in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia.

Pravilov, 49, who lists his residence as Cherry Hill, N.J., is charged with one count of travel for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct and one count of transporting a person to engage in criminal sexual activity, according to the indictment.

On Jan. 2, Pravilov drove the minor, a Ukrainian visiting the U.S. to participate in one of his hockey clinics, from Wilmington, Del. to an ice rink near Elkins Park, Pa., according to court documents. Later that day, the teen was taken to Pravilov’s Philadelphia apartment on the 6700 block of Musgrave Street.

The following night, Pravilov allegedly placed his hand on the boy’s genitalia and placed the boy’s hand on his genatalia.

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Pravilov is scheduled to appear in federal court on Friday for a detention hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Morgan, who is prosecuting the case, will ask that Pravilov be held until trial.

“We think he is a danger to the community based on the allegations of sexual abuse. The nature of his employment is working exclusively with children,” said Morgan.

Morgan’s office also considers Pravilov, here in the U.S. on a visa, a flight risk. The fact that he may face a significant prison sentence – up to 40 years – if convicted only adds to that concern, she said.

Senior Trial Counsel Mark Wilson with the Federal Community Defender Office, who will represent Pravilov, did not immediately return a call seeking comment on Thursday’s indictment.

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