A predator behind bars
San Jose Mercury News Excerpts
EX-YMCA SWIM TEACHER PLEADS GUILTY SAN CARLOS MAN, 23, FACES 4-YEAR SENTENCE FOR SEX WITH MINORS
July 18, 2002
by SEAN WEBBY, Mercury News
Already facing charges, was arrested for trying to persuade girl not to talk to police.
A 23-year-old former Palo Alto YMCA swim teacher pleaded guilty Wednesday to having sex with a 13-year-old girl and trying to stop another minor from revealing their own sexual affair from police.
Brent Collins called a 17-year-old San Mateo County girl and begged her not to tell police, according to court documents. But police were already there, via tape recorder.
The girl told Collins that she felt scared and fragile, like an egg about to break.
''Please don't. You can't. You can't,'' Collins said. ''In terms of that egg, that egg needs to be petrified.''
''I hope that while the defendant is in prison he will reflect on how he manipulated and emotionally damaged the two victims and resolve to stay away from under-aged girls,'' said prosecutor Jeff Rosen.