John Candler, 64 and a British citizen, was arrested eight weeksago and has been in federal custody in Atlanta. He returned homeWednesday night after being freed on $20,000 bond.
Candler, who had never been to jail before, described histreatment as deplorable.
"I didn't realize human beings could be so mean to eachother," he said.
Candler's arrest on Dec. 4 was part of an ongoing operationaimed at deporting sex offenders who are not U.S. citizens. Thegovernment says they pose a threat to society.
Candler pleaded guilty in 1966 to taking indecent liberties witha 12-year-old girl from Michigan. In 1985, he pleaded guilty totaking indecent liberties with a 15-year-old Wake County girl.
His release comes a week after an immigration judge in Atlantabarred the government from deporting Candler, whose wife, childrenand grandchildren all live in the United States.
Candler's attorney, Lynn Calder, said the government could stillappeal the decision, but she doubted he would be locked up again.
Candler came to the United States in 1960 from England to divefor the University of Michigan. He competed for his native countryin the Olympic Games of 1960 and 1964.
A day before he was arrested, Candler resigned from his coachingposition of 36 years. N.C. State officials had begun aninvestigation after a Michigan woman questioned Candler'semployment, given his criminal record.
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