Former volleyball coach pleads guilty to child sex charges

A former Yale High School assistant volleyball coach arrested after an Internet sex sting pleaded guilty Thursday in Macomb County Circuit Court.

Charles Goubert, 53, of Emmett, pleaded guilty to three counts of child sexually abusive activity, said William Harding, Macomb County assistant prosecuting attorney. The charges are punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Three counts of using a computer to commit a crime were dismissed.

Harding said Goubert corresponded with an undercover detective posing as the mother of a 13-year-old girl via email and text message in October. The detective had responded to an ad Goubert place online.

"Discussions took place where he was arranging to have sex with an undercover police officer's daughter," Harding said.

"During the conversation there were three sexual acts that were discussed — that's what gave rise to those three charges."

Harding said Goubert arranged to meet with the 13-year-old girl and her mother to have sex. When he arrived at the arranged time and place, he was arrested.

"I'm convinced that had there been an actual 13-year-old girl, and had it not been a police officer, that a child would have been victimized that day," Harding said.

In early January, Goubert's lawyer, Jonathan Jones, made motions to quash Goubert being bound over to circuit court and certain statements he made to police. Jones also asked that evidence against his client be suppressed or dismissed because he claimed he was entrapped by police.

Macomb County Circuit Judge Mary Chrzanowski denied the motions, Jones said.

"The intent of the law is obviously good because it's designed to protect children," Jones said. "However, in practical reality, the only cases I've been involved with there have been police involved, and not kids.

"(The police) are actively participating in the activity that leads to the arrest ... I find it a much more gray area than others might."

Goubert's sentencing is scheduled for 8 a.m. March 3 in front of Chrzanowski, according to online court records.

After his arrest, Goubert was placed on administrative leave by the Yale School District. A no trespass and no contact order was issued. His contract was terminated.

Beth LeBlanc is a reporter for The Times Herald. Contact her at 810-989-6259 or eleblanc@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @THBethLeBlanc.