Sports

Earth Treks Instructor Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Abuse Charge

Michael Lyons to be sentenced Feb. 3; second Columbia climbing instructor to appear in court as early as Dec. 6.

A former Columbia rock climbing instructor faces eight years in prison and a list of conditions that will follow him for the rest of his life as the result of a plea agreement reached in Howard County Circuit Court Wednesday.

Michael J. Lyons, of Rockville, pleaded guilty to one count of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl who was a member of a competitive climbing team he coached while employed by the in Columbia.

Lyons, 31, was charged with one count of the sex abuse of a minor, three counts of third-degree sex offense and one count of the sexual solicitation of a minor, according to court documents.

Find out what's happening in Elkridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Daniel Lloyd Montague, a second Earth Treks instructor charged with multiple counts of misdemeanor sex offenses against a minor, will appear in court as early as Dec. 6 to face his charges.

The charges against Lyons stem from incidents that occurred between April 2011 and June 2011 at the climbing gym on Columbia Gateway Drive, according to court documents.

Find out what's happening in Elkridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

With Public Defender Mary Pizzo at his side, Lyons cried and wiped tears from his face throughout much of the court proceedings before Judge Louis A. Becker III.

He responded with choked answers of "yes" as he was asked about his understanding of the proceedings and whether he voluntarily and willingly agreed to the plea offer.

Prosecutors Kim Oldham and Susan Weinstein presented the state's case against Lyons.

Oldham read a statement that included a partial transcription of a cell phone conversation on June 27 between Lyons and the victim, during which he begged the girl not to disclose his identity to her mother.

"Who should I say it was?" the victim asked, according to the statement.

"I don't know," Lyons replied, according to the transcript. "I have no idea, just tell her it was some guy that you met. I don't know (name redacted), if it's me I'm going to jail. I will immediately go to jail for a long time."

Lyons was arrested later that night. During interviews with detectives, he confessed to several sexual acts with the victim that took place at Earth Treks facilities in Columbia and Baltimore County as well as during a trip the climbing team took to Massachusetts.

After Oldham read the prosecution's statement, Pizzo asked to add information on behalf of Lyons.

She asked the court to note that the victim did not sustain any injuries and that her medical exam was normal.

She also noted admissions from the victim that the sexual acts were consensual.

The maximum penalty for the sexual abuse of a minor in the temporary care and responsibility of the offender is 25 years, according to Wayne Kirwan, spokesman for the Howard County State's Attorney's Office.

State sentencing guidelines, which take into consideration a variety of factors such as whether the victim sustained injuries and whether a weapon was present, call for four to nine years in this case, Kirwan said.

The state recommends a 15-year sentence with seven years suspended.

Lyons will also face five years of supervised probation upon the completion of his eight-year term.

He is to have no contact with the victim or any minors upon his release; he will not be allowed to coach or teach minors; he is to stay away from all Earth Treks facilities; and he will be required to register as a sex offender.

The state is recommending a lifetime sex offender registry obligation. Pizzo said it was her understanding that Lyons would be required to register for 25 years and said she would get that difference worked out with prosecutors.

Unable to post a $100,000 bond, Lyons was being held at the Howard County detention center.

Upon his conviction Wednesday, the bond was revoked. He will remain in custody while awaiting sentencing Feb. 3.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here