PORTLAND, Ore. -- A local basketball coach charged with five counts of sex abuse involving a teenaged athlete was convicted of first degree rape back in the 1970s, when he was still a juvenile himself, according juvenile records obtained by KGW.

Howard Avery, now 51, was convicted in 1974 of first degree rape, when he was 17, and he was placed in legal custody of the Oregon Children's Services Division.

According to the juvenile record, Avery's sentence was "not to exceed 20 years," which was the maximum penalty had he committed the crime as an adult. However, as a minor, Avery was to be released before his 21st birthday, according to the law.

 More: Read Avery's 1974 rape conviction (PDF)

In a court hearing on Tuesday, Avery requested his bail be lowered from $250,000 to $50,000. The judge denied that request. A request that his bail be raised to $500,000 was also denied.

Lake Oswego police arrested Avery on Feb. 19 and charged him with three counts of sex abuse, sodomy and unlawful sexual penetration involving the teenaged basketball player that was under his tutelage.

Court documents said all the charges were being investigated as “forced sex acts against a juvenile.”

Avery has a history of sexual relations with teenaged girls.

In a series of interviews with The Oregonian several years ago, Avery admitted he’d had sexual relationships with student athletes.

The coach told The Oregonian that he impregnated a 15-year-old basketball player in the 1990s and paid for her abortion. He also told the paper he kissed another player when she was 17.

Both admissions came after the statute of limitations had run out and he could no longer be charged.

The new charges stemmed from a situation last summer with a teenager Avery was reportedly coaching at the time.

Two coaches interviewed by KGW said Avery “never should have been allowed to coach girls.”

In 2001, Avery was lauded by other coaches for helping to develop several big-name NBA talents, including Damon Stoudamire, through his Triple Threat basketball program.

His boot camp style made him a favorite with parents, who paid substantially for him to train their children.

Avery told KGW at the time that he was “realistic about his athletes achieving their dreams.”

A grand jury was meeting this week to determine further charges. Avery was scheduled to appear in court Friday. His bail was set at $250,000.

Investigators worry Avery may have victimized other athletes and urged them or their parents to come forward.