Georgio Fagan, choreographer for the America's Junior Miss program since 2002, was arrested today in Florida and was charged with sex crimes against minors, according to authorities.
Fagan was arrested this afternoon in Lake Mary, Fla. and taken to the John Polk Correctional Facility, according to the Seminole County, Fla., sheriff's Web site.
Fagan, who was booked under the name George Fagan, was charged with lewd or lascivious battery and two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor and was being held in lieu of $10,000 bail, the Web site showed.
Lake Mary Police Department officials had not returned messages as of 7:20 p.m. about the accusations against Fagan.
Fagan has been a fixture in Mobile since he hired on with the competition in 2002. He spends hours with the girls almost every day for the two weeks they are in Mobile, teaching them several dance routines that are later performed at the semifinals and finals program.
AJM Executive Director Becky Jo Peterson had not returned a message seeking comment as of 7:20 p.m.
A statement attributed to Peterson released this evening by AJM spokeswoman Cassidy Grimes said, "America's Junior Miss is obviously concerned to learn of the allegations that have been made. As a matter of course, AJM always provides supervision and security for the contestants during their time at the Junior Miss program. I am unaware of any impropriety involving this program."
The video clip below, featuring an interview with Fagan, was produced as part of the Press-Register's Junior Miss coverage this summer.