A girls basketball coach from Orange County has been sentenced to 150 years to life in prison for sexually assaulting four young female athletes aged between 11 and 17.
Carlos Francisco Juarez, 48 and residing in Costa Mesa, primarily coached for renowned club basketball teams like So Cal Swoosh and O.C. Mustangs. He also had stints at various high schools including Aliso Niguel, Costa Mesa, Mater Dei, and Tustin.
After a jury found Juarez guilty of 21 felony charges, including 10 counts of lewd acts on a child under 14, on July 18, he was sentenced accordingly. Prosecutors revealed that Juarez had coached each of his four victims between 2005 and 2010.
To strengthen their case of a pattern consisting of targeting, grooming, and attacking young girls, the prosecution presented evidence from two other alleged victims who testified during the trial.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer remarked, “This coach abused his position of trust and authority, preying on these young girls. Youth sports should provide a safe environment where parents and athletes don’t have to worry about sexual predators targeting children.”
In 2005, Juarez instructed an 11-year-old victim to practice topless during a private lesson at a Tustin gym. He then sexually assaulted her after a practice session and even gave her an envelope of money, according to the charges.
Juarez was also found guilty of sexually assaulting three other young female players, including a 14-year-old girl he coached privately in 2008.
“Thanks to the courage of these young victims in speaking out, another child molester is now incarcerated for life, ensuring he can no longer harm innocent children,” Spitzer added.
Juarez’s attorney, Kenneth Reed, declined to comment after the conviction but mentioned that an appeal will be filed.
City News Service contributed to this story.
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