Scottsdale Ice Dancer Accused Of Sexual Relationship With Teen

PHOENIX — An ice dancer from Scottsdale has been charged in Lee County, Florida for having sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl, according to authorities.

Dane Ayers, 20, an ice dancer from Scottsdale, was arrested Tuesday morning by the Lee County Sheriff's Office, and accused of having sex with a teenaged girl. Florida laws dictate it is considered statutory rape when a person has consensual sex with an individual under the age of 18.

Ayers has since been released on $20,000 bond.

Ayers met the victim while they were both training at Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida, just south of Fort Myers, according to a report from the sheriff's office. The department said the alleged incidents occurred between September and December of 2019. The two started as friends before the victim said Ayers asked if she wanted to be more, the sheriff's office said. Ayers was 19 at the time.

In the report from the sheriff's office, the girl said that she and Ayers started having sexual contact in the back seat of his Tesla in late September. The contact took place in multiple locations around Estero, including behind Hertz Arena, in the city of Orlando and in the country of Turkey, according to sheriff's officials. Ayers had built a friendly relationship with the girl's parents and she was allowed to spend time with him, the report said.

The victim initially disclosed the sexual relationship to a mental health counselor, who reported it to the Florida Department of Children and Family Services. Children and Family Services then reported it to the Lee County Sheriff's Department.

The sexual contact ended when Ayers returned to Arizona in December, according to the sheriff's office. Ayers asked the victim to stay quiet about the relationship and the victim said he spoke with her several times about the illegality of the contact, the report from the sheriff's office said.

Ayers was temporarily suspended from U.S. Figure Skating in July and permanently sanctioned on Sept. 2. He can no longer participate in any competitions or facilities under the jurisdiction of United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

The organization commented on the charges against Ayers Tuesday.

"The health and safety of our members remains paramount. U.S. Figure Skating encourages anyone who has been abused or suspects abuse to report it to the U.S. Center for SafeSport, local law enforcement or U.S. Figure Skating," Barbara Reichert, senior director of external relations for the organization, said in a statement.