Grandson of tennis legend charged with allegedly sexually abusing minor he coached
Daniel James Riggs is a relative of Bobby Riggs, who lost famous match to Billie Jean King
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The grandson of the legend who took part in tennis’ famed Battle of the Sexes is now in a battle of his own on sex-related charges.
Daniel James Riggs, the grandson of Bobby Riggs, was arrested on Tuesday at a Florida tennis club and was later charged with enticement of a minor and child pornography production, according to Local10.com.
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The 31-year-old was taken into custody at Lauderdale Tennis Club and was in court on Wednesday, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
The DOJ also notes that social media “records” indicate there could be more than one victim in the case.
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According to the ABC affiliate, Riggs had met the accuser when she was 15 years old and he was her tennis coach. He allegedly began sexually abusing her in 2021, with it occurring for almost three years.
The DOJ alleges Riggs sexually abused the minor while they travelled internationally and domestically for both training and tournaments, and that the “abuse continued locally within the Southern District of Florida.”
Riggs is alleged to have requested child sexual abuse material and also had sexual conversations with the minor via instant messaging app Snapchat, the outlet reports.
Riggs also is accused of creating several anonymous profiles and advising the minor to end their communication.
“On another occasion in Brazil, Minor Victim 1 went to RIGGS’ room. There, RIGGS informed Minor Victim 1 that he felt they should not do this anymore (referring to engaging in sexual acts) because of the potential repercussions,” the criminal complaint reportedly states.
The case reportedly was investigated by FBI Miami and the Broward Sheriff’s Office and Riggs’ pretrial detention hearing is set for Dec. 23.
Riggs is listed as “grandson of former world champion Bobby Riggs” on the Cornell university website from his time spent there and he hails from Pompano Beach, Fla.
The elder Riggs is known for his role in 1973’s Battle of the Sexes tennis match, in which he faced off with Billie Jean King. Riggs, who was in his mid-50s at the time, lost the match in straight sets.
The former Wimbledon and two-time U.S. Open champion died at the age of 77 in 1995.
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