Woodburn Football Coach Arrested for Alleged Sex Abuse Involving Underage Student

A Woodburn High School physical education teacher, who is also the head coach of the Woodburn football team, was arrested this week on allegations that he engaged in an intimate relationship with an underage student.

Nicholas Federico, a 38-year-old Salem man, was taken into custody at Woodburn High School on Monday and is facing multiple counts of second-degree sex abuse, online sexual corruption of a child, and official misconduct in the first degree. Police say Federico has worked for the Woodburn School District since 2011.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Woodburn Police Department have been investigating Federico since July, when they received a tip regarding a video posted to Instagram that purported to be of a Woodburn High School teacher engaged in an “intimate act.” Later investigation produced evidence the teacher had been messaging at least one student from the school using Snapchat.

Federico was lodged at the Marion County Jail, but records indicate he has since been released on bail.

Detectives are encouraging any potential victims or people with information which may be helpful to the investigation to call their confidential tip line at 503-540-8079.