Brother of victim calls HS coach a 'predator'; family believes he was grooming her

WARREN, Mich. (FOX 2) - The brother of a 17-year-old girl, who authorities say was sexually assaulted by her coach, says his sister was a close friend of the coach's own daughters and the family believes he was grooming her for a while

Latwan Turner, 43, was charged Monday with having sex with a teenage girl on the high school basketball team that he coached at New Haven High School in Macomb County.

The 17-year-old victim was a friend of his own daughter's and she would even sleep over at his house from time to time. Now her family thinks she was being groomed by the 43-year-old man.

The girl's brother, who did not want to go on camera but did speak to FOX 2's Jessica Dupnack, is a police officer in Metro Detroit. He says there were signs that were missed - like flirting and inappropriate touching.

"We were lied to, we trusted him with the safety of our sister," he said. "As I think back to how he interacted with her and other girls and the signs were there. I missed all the signs."

Investigators say their sexual relationship went on for months - possibly longer - but her brother doesn't doesn't why this man did this.

"There are plenty of women these guy's age you don't have to go to a female 26 years younger than you. It's not right."

Police say they were caught in the act in Turner's car at the Warren Red Roof Inn Saturday by Warren officers on patrol. He told them the teen was his girlfriend but it came out later he was her coach. 

"When you see this kind of behavior in broad daylight that's been going on, certainly we're all concerned about it," said prosecutor Eric Smith.

Turner is facing four counts of 3rd degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and 1 count of gross indecency.

Smith says it's likely there are more victim's and he's glad the judge set Turner's bond at $250,000 cash.

"Coach Turner violated that trust in every way possible, in the worst way possible," said Smith.

The brother said his sister probably won't play basketball this season and adds that Turner has done damage to so many lives.

"She's in emotional ruin right now, emotional ruin yes."

Turner was placed on leave from his coaching assignment until further notice.

Smith is asking anyone with additional information regarding Turner is asked to contact the Warren Police Department.