Former neighbor of track coach accused of sexually assaulting Charlotte teens is shocked by arrest

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – A former neighbor of the man accused of sexually abusing teenagers in Charlotte said she was extremely shocked to hear of the allegations against him.

The conversation with the neighbor on Wednesday, September 18, comes just one day after Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police held a press conference to discuss the charges and allegations against Daszmar Lockhart.

He faces numerous charges, including rape, sexual offenses and sexual abuse of minors.

Ppreviously: Athletics coach arrested for sexual abuse of minors

Charnette Miller said she has lived in her home for 18 years and has seen many families move in and out of the neighborhood, including the Lockharts.

She described her daily interactions with the family.

“Little things, you know? Talk and say hello, you know. Hello and goodbye as you pass,” Miller said.

Miller said her relationship with the family was not very close, but she did see children being brought to Lockhart's former home, where he worked as an independent track and field coach and ran his home-based business, Lock Nation Athletics.

“I was always paying attention to see if anything was crazy or not normal. Sometimes I would work out at my gym. I would ask for help, but it was just… they were really nice people,” Miller said.

According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, Lockhart abused at least three girls during private training sessions.

According to investigators, a girl who was 14 at the time said she was sexually abused for several years, another girl said Lockhart touched her inappropriately, and a third victim told investigators that the former trainer touched himself during those private training sessions.

According to officials, the girls were only 11 and 15 years old.

“I saw a lot of people drop their kids off and walk away, and then they worked out for about an hour, and I heard the music because I work right above me, and I heard the music loudly, but I didn't think anything of it,” Miller said.

At last check, Lockhart was in jail on $200,000 bail and is due back in court next month.

Anyone with information is asked to come forward. Detective Gose is investigating and can be reached at 704-336-7495. Tips can be submitted anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or visiting charlottecrimestoppers.com.

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