An immigration judge in Atlanta on Friday ordered the deportation of former N.C. State University diving coach John Candler, who had coached at the school for more than 35 years before resigning in 2003.

Candler has twice pleaded guilty to sexual offenses.

Candler, represented by Raleigh attorney Lynn C. Calder, was not in court when the immigration judge ordered his deportation. An immigration spokesman said the former diving coach was expected to be taken into custody over the weekend.

"He may be in our custody at this point," Richard Rocha, Carolinas spokesman for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said on Saturday.

An immigration judge ordered Candler's removal from the country because he is an "aggravated felon," Rocha said.

Calder said Saturday that Candler may have voluntarily left the United States shortly after the immigration judge issued the order.

"As far as my understanding goes, he was ordered removed and he removed himself from the country," Calder said.

A native of England, Candler coached 49 ACC champions in more than three decades at the university before his resignation in November 2003.

He also owned the Candler Swim & Gym Club at 1013 Jones Franklin Road.

Immigration officials first tried to deport Candler after learning in December 2003 that he had pleaded guilty to taking indecent liberties with a minor in 1966 and in 1985. NCSU was aware of the convictions, the latter of which occurred during his tenure in Raleigh.

Candler was released in 2004 from federal custody in Atlanta after spending nearly two months in detention.

"He received a waiver last year allowing him to stay in the country," Rocha said this week.

In 1966, Candler pleaded guilty to taking indecent liberties with a 12-year-old girl. He started work at NCSU in 1968. According to court records, he still was on probation at the time.

In 1985, Candler was charged with taking indecent liberties with a 15-year-old Wake County girl.

Candler said N.C. State University knew 18 years ago that he had been accused of taking indecent liberties with a minor, school records show.

A brief item about the 1985 charges ran in The News & Observer, triggering questions from then-Chancellor Bruce Poulton.

Records from Candler's personnel file obtained by The N&O show that then-Athletics Director Willis Casey wrote to Poulton for advice on how to handle the accusation.

Candler was later pushed out of the job after then-Chancellor Marye Anne Fox received an e-mail message from a woman in Michigan about the former coach's past.

Calder said Candler cannot appeal Friday's order.