POWHATAN COUNTY, Va. – The Fast Feet Sports Academy in Powhatan County will close its doors on Friday, March 28, amid a serious ongoing legal case involving its owner, Joseph Edward Parker. Parker, 50, of Powhatan, has been indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges, including four counts of aggravated sexual battery of a child under the age of 13 and two counts of indecent liberties with a child in a custodial or supervisory role.
According to court records, the alleged offenses took place on September 3, 2024. The charges, which have shaken the local community, stem from Parker’s role as a coach at the sports academy. The academy, known for its youth sports programs, has been a fixture in the Powhatan area for several years, with Parker reportedly having coached in the community for two decades.
The closure of the academy comes just weeks before Parker is scheduled to appear in court. The 50-year-old is due for a court hearing on April 8 to face the charges. In the wake of the announcement, local residents have expressed shock and dismay over the allegations.
“Somebody in that circumstance needs to be taken to court and prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” said Janna Moore, a Powhatan resident. “That’s something unthinkable—just very unthinkable for somebody to take advantage of a young child in that manner.”
When 8News approached the sports academy for comment, a parent volunteer confirmed the closure of the facility. However, no further details were provided, and no academy managers were available for interviews.
The charges against Parker have left many families in the community grappling with the news, particularly those whose children were involved in the academy’s programs. The closure of the sports academy has raised concerns about the future of its athletes and the emotional impact on the families affected.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the community remains on edge, awaiting the next steps in a case that has rocked the Powhatan area. For now, the academy is set to close its doors, leaving many questions unanswered as the legal process unfolds.
