Hawaii Coach Accused of Preying on Teen Player

Honolulu, HI – Dwayne Yuen, 49, a youth basketball coach, is facing federal charges after investigators uncovered evidence of him allegedly exploiting a former player. The feds arrested Yuen yesterday, alleging he possessed child pornography and engaged in explicit communication with a minor. The case has rocked the local basketball community, leaving parents and players reeling from the betrayal.

According to a criminal complaint unsealed today, Yuen, who coached girls’ middle and high school teams on Oahu, began targeting the victim around 2016 when she was a freshman in high school. The alleged abuse continued into 2020, with Yuen sending the victim sexually explicit text messages – including photos of himself and demands for compromising images from her. He allegedly used his position of authority as her coach to groom and manipulate her.

The complaint details a disturbing pattern of behavior. Yuen didn’t just stop at messaging. He allegedly showered the victim with gifts and repeatedly offered her money in exchange for sexual acts. This wasn’t about mentorship; it was about control and exploitation, federal prosecutors say. The victim, now an adult, came forward, triggering the FBI investigation that ultimately led to Yuen’s arrest.

A search warrant executed on Yuen’s Apple iCloud account revealed sexually explicit images of the victim. Investigators believe these images were either sent by the victim under duress, at Yuen’s request, or captured without her consent during live video chats. The discovery of these images significantly escalated the charges against Yuen and underscores the severity of his alleged crimes. This wasn’t a momentary lapse in judgment; it was a sustained pattern of predatory behavior.

Yuen made his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rom Trader. He’s been charged with repeatedly taking sexual advantage of a minor. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years behind bars. U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors minced no words, calling the allegations a “reprehensible violation of trust.” The FBI is now urging anyone who may have had contact with Yuen and fears they may have been targeted to come forward.

The FBI’s Honolulu Field Office is leading the investigation and is actively seeking information from anyone who may have been subjected to similar abuse by Yuen. They are asking potential victims or anyone with relevant information to contact them immediately. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers predators can pose within trusted community organizations and the importance of vigilance and reporting suspected abuse. The feds are determined to hold Yuen accountable and protect other vulnerable youth.