September 16, 2022
Thom Carroll/for PhillyVoice
Volunteer basketball coach Ameer Sutton-Best was arrested for sexually assaulting a teenage girl and other related charges in Parkesburg in July of 2022.
A volunteer basketball coach at a Chester County youth center allegedly sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in July, authorities said Friday. He also allegedly sent explicit Snapchat messages to another young teen and solicited nude photos from a third.
Ameer Sutton-Best, 31, of Parkesburg, also allegedly solicited sex from other underage girls and was in possession of child pornography, according to the Chester County District Attorney 's Office.
"Ameer Sutton-Best is a child predator who preyed on young teen girls knowing their age and violating his position of trust," District Attorney Ryan said. "He had the audacity to try to buy his way out of this. Thankfully, these victims had the fortitude to report his reprehensible behavior."
Sutton-Best volunteered at the Parkesburg Point Youth Center but was not a staff member, the Inquirer reported. Due to his experience with basketball, he would often help run practices at the center.
On Aug. 10, Parkesburg police were contacted by the youth center about Sutton-Best after learning of allegations he had raped a 13-year-old girl, prosecutors said. The girl told investigators that Sutton-Best had texted her, picked her up and drove to an unspecified location where he allegedly forced her into the backseat of his car and sexually assaulted her.
After the incident, police said Sutton-Best drove the girl back to her house and dropped her off. Later, he contacted the girl's mother later and, investigators said, he asked how he could make the incident "go away."
Two other girls, a 13-year-old and a 14-year-old, also said Sutton-Best had also sent them sexually explicit messages via Snapchat. Police said he asked one girl if she was into older men and allegedly solicited nude photos from the other.
Sutton-Best is charged with rape, sexual abuse of children, corruption of minors and related offenses. He is being held at Chester County Prison in lieu of $1 million bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sep. 22
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information can call Chester County Detectives at (610) 344-5576. Anyone who suspects a child is being abused can call Pennsylvania's Childline at (800) 932-0313.
