Charge against former Fargo swim coach dropped after victim and family refused to cooperate

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — A gross sexual imposition charge against former private swim coach Ronald Hehn, Jr. has been dropped and the trial canceled.

Hehn had been accused of massaging a 15-year-old girl’s legs and private areas after a private swim lesson last February at his Fargo apartment complex.

The alleged 20-minute incident was captured on security camera footage.

On Monday, Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Van Horn filed a motion to dismiss the case due to his inability to meet with the victim and the victim’s family.

Court records show the alleged victim’s mother wrote a letter to the attorney last week indicating they would not be present for trial.

It was set to start today.

Hehn was fired as the head swim coach of the West Fargo High School girls’ swim team in 2018 after posting a video of a swimmer wearing a weighted belt in the water and appearing to struggle, which was considered unsafe.

Hehn was also the head coach of the Concordia Cobbers women’s swim team from 2013 to 2014. He swam in the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2008 and 2012.