AUBURN, CA - An Auburn man was arrested Thursday evening on suspicion of sexually abusing a minor over a period of time, according to the Placer County Sheriff's Department.
Sheriff's detectives were alerted to the possible crime a few days ago and following an investigation, took Belden Morgan into custody. He was booked into Placer County Jail on $1.5 million bond.
Sheriff spokeswoman Dena Erwin said the alleged sexual abuse took place several years ago.
Morgan resigned as the snowboarding coach at Colfax High School in 2011. He had coached at the school since 2003 and from 1998-2003, taught computer science there.
"I'm stunned. I'm really stunned," said Morgan's neighbor Carol, who did not want to use her last name.
"He's a brilliant man. He's a very nice man. They've been up here for years. He's very helpful," Carol added. "I've never seen kids up here except his grandchildren."
At Morgan's Auburn home Friday afternoon, a woman came to the door but would not comment. A sheriff's detective was also at the home taking photos of the property for evidence, said sheriff's Lt. Mark Reed.
The Placer Union High School District did not know if the victim was a student and the sheriff's office declined to release that information.
The Auburn Ski Club, an organization that works closely with high school snowboarding clubs, did not have any comment on Morgan's arrest.
According to Erwin, the investigation into Morgan is ongoing. His first court hearing is Feb. 14.
News10/KXTV