Raja Jabbour, former Albemarle High JV girls’ soccer coach, will remain in jail until his trial for possession of child pornography on his computer. At a U.S. District Court bond hearing June 27, Judge Norman K. Moon ruled that there were no conditions that could “keep him from being a danger to the public,” adding that, though he hopes Jabbour is innocent, the coach is “probably more dangerous” now than in the past because of the stress and pressure related to his trial.
Jabbour had more than 20 friends, family members, JV players and their parents attend the hearing on his behalf. “The parents showed up because they are convinced [Jabbour] has not harmed anyone,” says a family member, who declined to give his name.
Several teenage girls wept following the judge’s ruling. Jabbour glanced at the supporters, trying to catch their eyes as he was led away in handcuffs.
The defense, led by Alexandria-based attorney John Zwerling, argued for conditional pretrial release that would keep him from computers and children. Prosecutor Nancy Healey said they only had a fraction of the evidence from Jabbour’s computers, but that the case “goes beyond using a computer to get his rocks off.” Still, no charge beyond possession has been filed.
The trial is currently forecast to happen in the fall.
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