Youth leader indicted on sex charges

David Millhoan's duties as athletic league commissioner were to ensure that the league's rules and constitution were followed.

A local youth athletic league official has been indicted by a Lucas County grand jury on multiple counts of sex offenses against children.

David Millhoan, Sr., is charged with three counts of rape and two counts each of gross sexual imposition and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

Mr. Millhoan, 42, of 2307 North Summit St. was commissioner of the South Toledo Area Recreation Society football league, which has 16 football teams with more than 600 players ages 9 to 14.

He is held in the Lucas County jail without bond pending an appearance in Common Pleas Court, which has not been scheduled.

Mr. Millhoan stepped down from his post about three weeks ago when the allegations of sexual conduct with children surfaced, said Michael Baker, the league's assistant commissioner.

"We are in shock," Mr. Baker said.

Ron Miller, who was active with the league for 30 years, until 2008, said he had known Mr. Millhoan "for quite a few years" and was equally shocked.

Mr. Baker said the allegations stemmed at least in part from Mr. Millhoan's alleged relationships with two boys who are football players in the league.

He said Mr. Millhoan and the boys took fishing and camping trips together, with the approval of the boys' parents.

Mr. Baker said Mr. Millhoan stepped down after he urged him to do so pending the resolution of the allegations.

"Dave mentioned that he was accused. I said, 'Dave, you know what you need to do until this blows over or whatever happens,'•" he said.

Tony Williamson, who succeeded Mr. Millhoan as commissioner, said the league's officials undergo background checks, and Mr. Millhoan's was "squeaky clean."

"I want to assure parents that their kids are safe" in the league, he said.

Mr. Millhoan told The Blade in 2008 that he had joined the league 13 years earlier when his son was 10 years old and wanted to play football.

"He was a lineman and it prepared him mentally and physically," he explained at the time.

The league was founded in 1958 as a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that educates youths on the fundamentals of football and cheerleading.

The league's funding comes from gate receipts and fund-raising. Its games are played at the Libbey and Bowsher High School stadiums, Mr. Miller said.

As commissioner, Mr. Millhoan's duties were to ensure that the league's rules and constitution were followed, Mr. Miller said.

Mr. Williamson said the league's volunteers are dedicated to the welfare of the participating children. "We all try to be mentors, uncles, aunts, whatever it takes," he said.