EX-BASKETBALL coach sentenced in locker room camera incident

<br>PAWHUSKA, Okla. (AP) _ A former Skiatook High School student said she felt as though the ex-basketball coach had raped her and 24 other students when he secretly videotaped them undressing in a locker

Saturday, August 11th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

PAWHUSKA, Okla. (AP) _ A former Skiatook High School student said she felt as though the ex-basketball coach had raped her and 24 other students when he secretly videotaped them undressing in a locker room two years ago.

The student spoke on behalf of her fellow victims during Friday's formal sentencing of Harry Roy Red Eagle Jr. in Osage County District Court.

Red Eagle, 31, was sentenced to 20 years of supervised probation on each of two counts of lewd acts to a child under 16. He pleaded no contest in June.

Red Eagle also received a five-year suspended sentence for procurement of obscene material and 2 1/2-year suspended sentenced on each of three counts of attempting to procure obscene material. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Nine other victims joined the student in front of District Judge J.R. Pearman's bench while the statement was read.

Choking back tears, the girl told her former coach that he would never know the devastation his actions have caused.

``I feel like you raped everyone of us in your mind,'' she said.

``I do hope God forgives you, but that he never lets you forget this day for the rest of your pathetic life. . 5/8. 5/8. I hope our voices haunt you for the rest of your life.''

In Red Eagle's written statement for the presentencing investigation, he admitted that he ``regrettably placed a video camera in a locker . 5/8. 5/8. and caught some of the female students changing from their school clothes into workout clothes.''

He further stated that ``I have no good explanation or reason for doing what I did. It was both a bad and costly decision.''

He also apologized to the students, his family and the community.

The Department of Corrections recommended a period of incarceration for Red Eagle, followed by an extended period of supervision. That recommendation was based on the nature of the offense, ``the number of victims, the outrageous breech of public trust and the outrageous invasion of personal privacy . 5/8. 5/8. the offense represents,'' according to the presentencing investigation.

Some parents were pleased with the outcome, but others had hoped for a stiffer penalty.

``He didn't get what he deserved,'' said Mike Hayman. ``He's walking out of here today. They've sentenced him, and they're turning him loose.''

David Wilson defended District Attorney Larry Stuart's handling of the case.

``He has been hammered pretty hard over this deal,'' he said. ``The majority of the group feel he did the best job he was capable of doing.''

Pearman ordered Stuart to keep the videotapes for six months to make them available for attorneys handling civil lawsuits filed against Red Eagle by the victims and their families.

According to the presentencing investigation, Red Eagle plans to move to Dallas, where he'll seek employment with Avery Air Conditioning. He cannot take any paid or unpaid coaching jobs related to children.

He also must undergo a psychological evaluation within 30 days and follow any treatment plan.

Red Eagle also will have to submit all related photographs or videos known or unknown to authorities; have no contact with victims or their families; and register as a sex offender.