| For Immediate Release Case # 10NF2388 November 5, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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YOUTH SPORTS COACH CONVICTED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING HIS STUDENTS INCLUDING FORCIBLE SODOMY AND ORAL COPULATION
SANTA ANA – A youth sports coach was convicted today of sexually assaulting eleven of his students whom he met through his coaching jobs. Luis Alberto Pineda, 31, Anaheim, was found guilty by a jury of 17 felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14, two felony counts each of sodomy by force, sodomy of a person under the age of 16, oral copulation of a minor under 16, lewd acts upon a child, one felony count each of oral copulation or sexual penetration with a child 10 years old or younger and attempted lewd act upon a child under the age of 14 and three misdemeanor counts of simple assault and sentencing allegations for substantial sexual conduct with a child and committing lewd acts on multiple victims. Pineda faces a maximum sentence of 255 years to life in state prison at his sentencing Dec. 6, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-42, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Between 2005 and 2010, Pineda was a martial arts assistant instructor at Moo Yea Do Martial Arts in Fullerton and was also a soccer coach for the North Orange County Youth Soccer Premier League. Pineda met his victims through these coaching jobs and during that time, Pineda befriended the parents of the victims and arranged to watch over the students after practices or games.
Between 2005 and 2010, Pineda molested 10 boys and one girl after practices, games, or while taking them out to go to the movies or have dinner. Pineda sodomized and orally copulated a 14-year-old male student outside a Fullerton business while taking him home after karate practice. Pineda forcibly sodomized an 11-year-old male student while driving him home from soccer practice.
On one occasion between Dec. 25, 2007, and Dec. 24, 2008, Pineda sexually touched 9-year-old Jane Doe between her legs and put his hands down the inside of her shirt and pants. On several occasions between 2005 and 2010, Pineda fondled his victims and masturbated the victims over and under their clothes.
The sexual assaults were initially reported to the Fullerton Police Department and transferred to the Anaheim Police Department who investigated the case. The defendant was arrested on Aug. 5, 2010.
Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Nichols of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.
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