Just when women think they are equipped to protect themselves from predators, a new method of harassment is discovered. This time, a college track coach tricked his female runners, and others, into providing him with nude or seminude photos.
Former Northeastern University track and field coach, Steve Waithe, pled guilty in November of 2023 to a dozen counts of wire fraud, and one count each of cyberstalking, conspiracy to commit computer fraud, and aiding and abetting computer fraud.[1] Last week, he was sentenced to five years in prison and three years of supervised release.[2] Waithe will no longer be permitted to work as a coach, teacher, or mentor of girls and women.[3]
Steve Waithe misled his student-athletes into handing him their phones, purportedly to record their form in practice or competitions.[4] Waithe would use this access to search the girls’ phones for compromising images, which he would then send to himself.[5] He would later use these images to solicit additional images from his victims.[6]
Waithe created fake Instagram and email accounts to contact women. In his communications, he would pretend to be a good Samaritan who had stumbled upon their photos. Under the guise of a fake woman, “Katie,” Waithe would request additional photos to assist with removing the compromising photos from the internet.[7] In some instances, he would also claim to be working with law enforcement.[8]
None of Waithe’s Northeastern athletes were tricked by his internet tactics, but he tried this method on other prospective victims and found some success.[9] Waithe also cyberstalked a young woman, frequently messaging the woman and her boyfriend about the images he had obtained of her. [10] He conspired to hack Snapchat accounts and posted at least 11 stolen or extorted images on shady online forums.[11]
Waithe developed his “Katie” or “Kathryn” character as a researcher studying body development in female college athletes and posed as her often.[12] He used his false personas to gain access to people, gain their trust, and then violate them. In total, Waithe victimized at least 56 women and attempted to victimize 72 more.[13]
While Waithe’s methods may be shocking, this story sounds all too familiar. There have been countless stories of coaches exploiting their trusted positions to take advantage of their athletes (e.g., USA Gymnastics and Larry Nassar, USA Swimming, and Penn State, to name a few). Beyond sport, there are even more stories of predators exploiting relationships of trust to fulfill their sick desires. It is sad to think that young athletes, and young women, sometimes have to be wary of their coaches and mentors.
Waithe’s victims lost their privacy and a sense of safety. He capitalized on his relationships and took advantage of people who trusted him to look out for their best interests. Now, many women are faced with the fear that images of them may still be on the internet. Waithe’s harm will undoubtedly take a long time to recover from.
Student-athletes can take some solace in the fact that Northeastern did conduct a Title IX investigation and ultimately dismissed Waithe. Additionally, many of Waithe’s victims spoke-out against his conduct; perhaps this can also be seen as a sign of comfort. Yet, as more and more predators conduct their crimes on the internet, people need to be careful about the information they keep on their devices.
Image credit: The Associated Press via WBZ News
[1] https://www.law360.com/sports-and-betting/articles/1810609?nl_pk=9ba2e64f-6b40-49a9-8029-c1a37ae85bfb&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sports-and-betting&utm_content=2024-03-07&read_main=1&nlsidx=0&nlaidx=4
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Id.
[6] Id.
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] Id.
[10] Id.
[11] Id.
[12] Id.
[13] https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/feds-former-northeastern-track-coach-sentenced-cyber-sex-crimes-involving-more-than-100-women/EE75X7WYXFBC5KQS7WBVBHMU5U/
3L at the University at Buffalo School of Law
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