Webster City wrestling coach Ted Larson and assistant Terry Nessa were arrested and charged with a series of crimes in connection with an assault in a private residence Saturday night — KCCI video screen shot
When it comes to malfeasance, a pair of Iowa wrestling coaches may take the cake in their commitment to doing everything wrong.
As reported by Gannett partner the Des Moines Register, the Fort Dodge Messenger and Iowa NBC affiliate WHOT, Webster City head wrestling coach Ted Larson and assistant Terry Nessa drove a Webster City Community School District van to a private home, where they allegedly broke into the house, assaulted a resident and then ransacked the property’s valuables. For good measure, the coaches reportedly damaged vehicles that were parked at the house before police arrived around 10 p.m.
The men were looking for Larson’s wife, according to Monday’s press release about the incident. The two forced their way into the home and assaulted the male resident after finding him in bed with Larson’s wife, according to a police report.
The resident had severe lacerations over both eyes that required medical attention but were not life-threatening, the release stated. There were large amounts of blood on floors, walls and other surfaces of the residence, according to a police report.
The Saturday evening run-in led to a series of charges against the two men, including felonious assault. They also face charges of first degree burglary, burglary/breaking and entering, and second degree criminal mischief. Both the 50-year-old Larson and 52-year-old Nessa were held on $40,000 bond. Iowa news network KCCI reported that Larson was still being held in Story County jail Sunday night.
“It’s certainly not something you anticipate,” Webster City superintendent Mike Sherwood said. “We are conducting an internal investigation into their conduct.”
The two have no prior incidents on their employment records.
Larson has been placed on administrative leave while the school district investigates the charges against him, a process which should see him sidelined for the remainder of the wrestling season. Given that Nessa was his top assistant (albeit a volunteer), it remains to be seen who will lead the school’s wrestling program in the sports traditional midwestern hotbed. Chris Hilsa has been named interim coach.
That, of course, is a secondary concern to the more pressing matters of the victim’s health. According to the Messenger, the unnamed victim remains hospitalized following Saturday’s alleged attack.