By Liz Oakes
The Cincinnati Enquirer

ST. BERNARD - A former youth softball and soccer coach has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of sexual battery involving a 14-year-old girl.

John Haller, 21, was charged after St. Bernard Police received a tip, Police Chief Steve Moeller said Thursday.

He entered his plea Tuesday at arraignment and is free on $20,000 bond.

Haller is accused of "sexual conduct" with the girl last fall and early this year, according to court records.

If convicted, Haller could face up to 35 years behind bars.

John Estep, mayor of St. Bernard, said Haller had been a volunteer coach for several years.

The city recreation department schedules a local soccer program and sponsors a girls' softball team in a municipal league, Estep said.

No criminal background check was run on Haller before he signed on as coach, city officials say. After the accusations surfaced, police ran a check, but it came up clear, Moeller said. "I don't know how anybody could have prevented this," Estep said.

St. Bernard officials are trying to figure out what they can do in the future. Like many area communities, St. Bernard doesn't routinely conduct background checks on sports team volunteers, Estep said.

The city has about 100 recreation program volunteers, and background checks can cost up to $500 apiece, the mayor said.

E-mail loakes@enquirer.com