EVADALE, Texas — The case of a former Evadale little league coach and president accused of sexually assaulting at least eight children has led to worldwide changes with Little League International.
Adam Isaacks, 40, faced a total of 15 combined charges at the state and federal level for sex crimes against children.
On June 28, 2023, Isaacks was in federal court in Beaumont before District Judge Marcia A. Crone. He pleaded guilty to four of seven counts of "transportation of minors in interstate commerce for purposes of sexual conduct."
Four of his eight victims were transported to five states: Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Florida and Oklahoma.
Beaumont-based Bernsen Law Firm announced February 2022 that eight plaintiffs and their families have filed a lawsuit against Little League Baseball, Inc., Texas District 12 Little League and Evadale Little League in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
The law firm says Little League International failed to protect these kids.
The lawsuit ended in a resolution, which resulted in the league making changes.
"The families are very excited. This has been a long, extremely painful road for them and they want closure," Attorney Cade Bernsen said.
Bernsen says what the victims and their families wanted from the beginning, was change.
"Change. For little league to make changes that will protect future generations of little leaguers and that's what we've done here," he said.
These changes, starting in the 2024 baseball season, include mandatory abuse awareness training and background checks before participating in any activities.
"The families are very excited. This has been a long, extremely painful road for them and they want closure," Bernsen said.
Isaacks will serve between 35 and 40 years in federal prison and will have to register as a sex offender. He waived his right to an appeal.
Trial dates for his charges out of Sabine and Jasper Counties have not yet been set.
How did we get here?
Isaacks was first arrested on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021 in Sabine County. In early January 2022, Isaacks' Silsbee home was searched by law enforcement.
Bags of evidence were taken out of his home as part of the investigation.
The investigation into the case began in December of 2021 when a child in Jasper County told his parents about an alleged incident. Following an investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Isaacks.
Isaacks faces eight combined charges out of two Texas counties. Those charges include five counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child in Sabine County and one count of indecency with a child and two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child in Jasper County.
In January 2022, Isaacks' bonds were raised to a total of $6.5 million.
A man that was trusted as a mentor and a role model, now disgraced.
Mothers previously told 12News, he's responsible for irreparable damage.
"They have stolen something from our children and my baby and that innocence he'll never get back," one mother said.
At least for now, some of the weight has been lifted.
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