Baltimore County softball coach accused of sexually abusing minor
A Baltimore County softball coach was arrested and charged with sexually abusing a minor, police said.
Michael J. Pusateri, 59, faces charges including rape, sexual abuse of a minor and solicitation of child pornography, according to charging documents, which allege that he groomed a 17-year-old for several months.
Pusateri is being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center after a judge raised concerns that he is "a threat to public safety." A plea has not yet been entered.
Documents detail allegations
Police said the allegations stem from a July 25 meeting at Eastern Regional Park in Middle River, where Pusateri allegedly sexually abused a female player inside her vehicle. Afterward, he returned to his car and the two left separately.
The victim told police she "felt scared and uncomfortable and didn't know what to do because she was afraid of what his reaction would be."
She also said Pusateri reminded her that he was both her coach and her parents' boss.
A detective began investigating on July 28 after receiving a report of sexual abuse.
Investigators said Pusateri began exchanging inappropriate text messages with the victim months earlier. On June 13, he allegedly sent the teen 37 explicit images using his work phone.
Charging documents allege the relationship shifted from player and coach to sexual in mid-March. Detectives said text records show the two met in person on at least five occasions, and that Pusateri allegedly bit the victim's neck during one encounter. Detectives said Pusateri had been "grooming the victim for a very long time."
Detectives also interviewed the victim's mother, who said she had known Pusateri for about five years through the softball league. She told police he recruited her daughter for his team and later offered herself and her husband jobs at the company where he worked.
The mother said Pusateri and her husband had become close friends, and that her daughter was also close to Pusateri's wife.
Pusateri's wife and children were in court Tuesday as the details of the case were being discussed.
Recreation and Parks responds
According to the victim's mother, Pusateri has coached for Overlea Rec, Middle River Rec, Parkville Rec, and Kenwood High School.
In a statement, Baltimore County Recreation and Parks said Pusateri passed a background check in February 2025.
"The health and safety of all Baltimore County recreational participants - especially our young people - is a top priority. While recreation councils are separate nonprofit organizations - responsible for their program operations and management of volunteers -- the County's Department of Recreation and Parks does assist with processing background checks for volunteers," the department said in a statement.
The recreation council removed Pusateri from all volunteer activities once the allegations were reported, department officials said.
"Baltimore County takes allegations of abuse and assault extremely seriously. Any charge or conviction of a crime involving assault or abuse results in an automatic disqualification to serve as a recreation volunteer in Baltimore County," the department said in a statement.
Police believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Baltimore County Police Department's Crimes Against Children Unit at 410-887-7720.
Baltimore County schools respond
Pusateri last served as a volunteer coach at Kenwood High School in the spring, according to a letter sent to parents by Principal Catherine Smith. He has been barred from accessing school property, the letter said.
"These charges are disturbing and are a violation of our policies and core values," Smith said in the letter.
