Former Sisters man charged with sex abuse

Mike J. Abegg, 46, formerly of Sisters, was arraigned October 19 in Deschutes County Circuit Court on eight counts related to sexual abuse.

All eight counts are Class B felonies. The incidents allegedly occurred on or about August 31, 2000 and July 11, 2001, according to the Deschutes County District Attorney's office.

The charges were filed on September 26, 2001.

According to the indictment, there was one alleged victim, who is not a family member.

Abegg was president of the Sisters Soccer Club for about a year and a half. He resigned by phone before the August, 2001 board meeting and moved back to the Portland area, according to club officials.

Suzy Peterson, who is involved with the club and is the wife of current soccer club president Mark Peterson, was also a neighbor the Abeggs before they moved to Portland.

"I don't think it happened," she said of the alleged abuse. Peterson's daughter spent considerable time in the Abegg home, and Peterson said she has no concerns.

According to club board member Peggy Tehan, the dates of the alleged incidents occurred after Abegg moved from coaching into administration of the club, and during a time when soccer was not in season.

According to the Deschutes County DA, Abegg posted the minimum 10 percent or $10,000 of his $100,000 bail. He is to have no unsupervised contact with minors, but can attend his daughter's soccer games.

Abegg could not be reached by press time.