A Muskogee man who works as an umpire and referee at area junior high and high school sporting events was arraigned Wednesday in Wagoner County District Court on a pending charge of second-degree rape.

Wagoner police allege Dwight Terrall Webb, 29, used his position to establish a relationship with a 15-year-old Wagoner High School coed. Wagoner Police Capt. Tony Ponds said the relationship began with a few telephone conversations and escalated to a sexual affair.

Authorities learned of the alleged rape involving the Wagoner High coed this past weekend. Because of Webb’s connection with high school sports, police fear there may be more victims who have failed to report similar encounters.

Ponds said Webb, who has a felony drug conviction and an outstanding warrant for a domestic assault and battery charge filed Aug. 9, admitted during an interview Tuesday that he had sex with the girl.

According to Ponds, Webb met the coed during a fast-pitch softball game at which Webb was an umpire. Webb allegedly gave the girl his telephone number. The girl, Ponds said, then contacted Webb. The two then made arrangements to meet at the girl’s home.

“The first time they just talked, but the second time he went to her residence he said they were going to have sex, but she was afraid so they didn’t,” Ponds said. “Later the girl called and asked him to come to a friend of the family’s residence. He went to that residence and at that time had intercourse with the girl.”

Webb has been licensed to officiate junior high and high school baseball games for two years, according to Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association records. Ron Ethridge, OSSAA director of officials for football and basketball, said if Webb was officiating softball games he would be in violation of the organization’s licensing provisions, which require separate enrollment for each sport.

Ethridge said that while secondary school officials are licensed by OSSAA, officials work as independent contractors during regular-season games and are hired by the schools, which are responsible for oversight. According to Ethridge, officials must renew licenses annually.

The enrollment form that must be completed by all prospective officials asks applicants to declare whether they are registered sex offenders. Other than that declaration, Ethridge said background checks are minimal.

“Unless there is a red flag thrown up, the only thing that is done is they sign a card that says they are not a registered sex offender,” Ethridge said. “This (Webb’s arrest) is a red flag, and I’m sure we will let this thing run its course before his license is renewed.”

Ethridge, who has worked in his present capacity at OSSAA for 3 1/2 years, said he has heard of no other instances of misconduct similar to that of which Webb stands accused.

Wagoner Police Chief Terry Hornbuckle said he urged anybody who may have had — or know about — similar encounters with Webb to contact the police department at 485-5511. Callers should ask to speak with Det. Paulette Caskey or Ponds.

Webb was being held on a $50,000 bond Wednesday in Wagoner County Jail on a complaint of second-degree rape. Prosecutors expect to file charges this week.