Ceres swim coach formally accused of misconduct with 2 teen girls

Prosecutors have formally charged a 51-year-old Ceres swim coach who is accused of misconduct with two teenage girls.

Tracy Bull, the longtime head coach of the Ceres Dolphins Swim Team, was arrested June 15 on suspicion of having inappropriate communications of a sexual nature with a teenager on the swim team, according to Ceres police. Officials at the time would not say whether the teenager was a girl or a boy.

The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office on July 1 filed a criminal complaint against Bull involving two suspected victims. Bull has been charged with a felony count of contacting or communicating with a 14-year-old girl for the purpose of committing a sexual offense with a minor.

The girl is identified in the complaint as “Jane Doe 1,” and the charge involves two incidents that prosecutors say occurred June 9 and 14.

Bull also is charged with a misdemeanor count of annoying or molesting a child, a 17-year-old girl identified in the complaint as “Jane Doe 2.” Prosecutors say the incident in the misdemeanor count occurred June 9.

Attempts by The Modesto Bee to reach Bull by phone have been unsuccessful. He is scheduled to appear July 15 for arraignment. Bull remains free on bail.

The allegations that led to Bull’s arrest were reported to police June 14. Police questioned him the following day before arresting him.

Bull coached boys basketball and water polo at Ceres High School during this past school year. Ceres Unified School District Assistant Superintendent Jay Simmonds has said Bull will no longer coach for the district.

Ceres police have said the allegations that led to Bull’s arrest involved his role as head coach of the swim team, which uses the Ceres High pool and includes swimmers from Ceres, Modesto, Turlock and surrounding communities.

Several hours after the coach’s arrest, the Ceres Dolphins board announced it had suspended Bull pending the outcome of the police investigation. The team has been in existence for several decades and this season included about 170 boys and girls from 5 to 18 years old.

This story was originally published July 7, 2016 at 4:21 PM with the headline "Ceres swim coach formally accused of misconduct with 2 teen girls."