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The State Attorney's Office released its video and audio evidence against embattled Mainland High School football coach John Maronto to the media after NSBNEWS.net and other news organizations sought the digital evidence under Florida's freedom of information statutes. Maronto, 68, of Daytona Beach Shores, was arrested by Daytona Beach police two weekends ago during an undercover prostitution sting on the beachside. Maronto, the winningest football coach in Volusia County, held that position for New Smyrna Beach High in the mid 1990s. He's been allowed to continue coaching and teaching a gym class by Volusia County School District Superintendent Margaret Smith despite the misdemeanor arrest that has drawn widespread media coverage. After the 2 p.m. release of the electronic evidence, school district spokeswoman Nancy Wait said school officials were waiting for release of the video as well and would reassess the stuation.
DAYTONA BEACH -- In a frainy DVD video and accompanying audio, embattled Mainland High School football coach John Maronto is heard telling an undercover female cop he believes is a prostitute that he's "married," though it's his night out and he's looking for "sex" and willing to pay "fifty" for it, even asking the woman to get in his car.
After the undercover cop tells Maronto she would meet him across the street at a hotel, cops move in and make the arrest.
Here is a synopsis of what was said between a man, whose face is unseen in the video, but later identified as Maronto by police, and the undercover cop:
- Undercover cop: "What's up? Jump in?"
- Maronto: "Why don't you get in, talk."
- Undercover cop: "We could talk right here. What's up?"
- Maronto: "I'm just lookin' for a little company."
- Undercover cop: "Company? OK".
- Maronto: "I thought I knew you."
- Maronto: "Why don't you get in, we'll talk."
- Undercover: " I don't usually get into the car with people I don't know."
- Maronto: "A date."
- Maronto: "OK, let's go. I'll drive you over there."
- Undercover cop: What are you looking for? You want some sex?"
- Maronto: "Yes."
- Undercover cop: "Yes, OK, how much you got?"
- Maronto: "What's your name."
- Undercover cop: "Beth."
- Maronto: "I got about fifty."
- Undercover cop: "Nice. All right. How about I'll walk over and meet you there."
- Maronto: Where's that at?"
- Undercover cop: "Right here. See that sign right there, Daytona Inn. Maronto: "On the right-hand side?"
- Undercover cop: "I'll meet you there."
Undercover cop: No, I don't think I know you."
Maronto: "You seem like a nice lady and this is my night out. I'm married and what have you." Undercover cop: "What are you looking for?"
The undercover cop walks away from the car, saying aloud to herself "good deal," the signal for the other cops that the slicitation for sex was consummated and they can move in. Equipped with a "wire," the undercover cop's conversation with Maronto could be heard by them and recorded.