Grand jury indicts former youth coach

Indictment was required to continue felony case

CEDAR RAPIDS — A former youth basketball coach was indicted last week on a federal charge related to secretly recording three naked teenage players.

Greg Stephen, 42, of Monticello, a former Iowa Barnstormers coach, was indicted Thursday in U.S. District Court on one count of transportation of child pornography. Stephen previously was charged by information but a grand jury indictment was required because it’s a felony case.

Last month, a magistrate decided to keep Stephen in jail pending trial after hearing evidence he may have inappropriately touched young players on trips.

After the indictment, Stephen’s lawyers asked a judge to overturn the magistrate’s ruling, arguing the prosecution didn’t present “clear and convincing evidence.”

Stephen is scheduled to go on trial June 4.