AZ coach played illegal sport

Former EAC basketball coach Tim Parmeter arrested
Charged with one count of sexual conduct with a minor

By Jon Johnson
Assistant Editor

Former Eastern Arizona College basketball coach Tim Parmeter was arrested and booked into the Graham County Jail on Friday on a single charge of sexual conduct with a minor.

The charge stems from an alleged two-year sexual relationship with an EAC student that began when she was 16. The victim claims she and Parmeter had numerous sexual relations at various places, including his home and his school office.

After the EAC Police interviewed Parmeter, Executive Vice President Brent McEuen fired him Jan. 17.

Since then, the Graham County Attorney's Office has been reviewing reports from the EACPD and the assisting agency, the Thatcher Police Department.

Recently, a taped conversation between Parmeter and the victim was returned to the attorney's office after having been sent to the Department of Public Safety's crime lab to be cleaned up.

On Thursday, the Graham County Attorney's Office issued a complaint charging Parmeter with sexual conduct with a minor. The attorney's office also issued an arrest warrant, and Parmeter was taken into custody Friday.

Parmeter will have his initial appearance before Justice of the Peace Dewey Bryce within 48 hours of his arrest. If Judge Bryce finds cause for the complaint, Parmeter will have an arraignment hearing followed by a preliminary hearing.