Results tagged “child molestation” from Crime & Courts

After we reported a couple weeks ago that former Peninsula High School coach Barry Sacks was arrested and charged with nine counts of misdemeanor child molestation, my e-mail inbox went crazy with reactions. In today's Daily Breeze, we explore some of those reactions - especially why Sacks was still running his day camp after his arrest and what those who know him have to say about him and the allegations.

Read today's story: Charges fuel mixed emotions

We have not allowed user comments after today's story. However, we're accepting comments here. We'll post those that are clean and not slanderous.

Previously: Peninsula coach arrest sparks reader reaction

Parents whose kids were coached by Barry Sacks over the years, and others, are having some strong reactions to news this morning that he is charged with nine counts of child molestation.

One reader wrote:

"Thank you for making me aware of this.  Coach Barry has worked with my kids, and they would have been in this Road Runner Program this year, but I followed my first mind and passed.

"I spoke to Barry July 24th on Penn's track working with his Road Runner Group, and I was none the wiser as to what was going on with his arrest. It seems that he was out on bail, and still working with kids alone.  You can gather from this that I am upset because the matter should have been brought to my attention as a parent with the PVPUSD when he was dismissed.

"How did u come across this information, and why did it take so long to be brought to my attention?"

I hate to tell ya this, but I came across this story the same way I do many others: I literally stumbled upon it yesterday morning at the courthouse. I heard and saw some things, got nosy and figured it out. I also feel it's unfortunate that law enforcement and school officials did not make us aware of this case sooner. I suggest that parents who agree let school officials know.

Prosecutors today filed 12 felony counts against former Gardena City Councilman Oscar Medrano, alleging he sexually abused a girl from the time she was in elementary school to high school.

Medrano, 47, is scheduled to be arraigned Monday at the Torrance courthouse.
Prosectors said the victim was molested on a regular basis beginning when she was in elementary school to age 14.
Medrano faces eight counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14, one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and three counts of lewd act upon a child 14 or 15 years old.

The last count relates to an incident that occurred when she was 15 years old.
The first nine counts also allege that the acts committed were of substantial sexual conduct, prosecutors said.
Medrano, who cited medical reasons when he resigned from the City Council on Tuesday, remains in custody on $500,000 bail.

Prosecutors are recommending his bail be increased to $960,000.


 

Gardena City Councilman Oscar Medrano, who resigned from his post Tuesday night, was arrested today on suspicion of child molestation, sheriff’s deputies said.

“We are confirming that we have an open investigation and he was arrested this morning,” said Sgt. Dan Scott of the Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Bureau.

Medrano was arrested on suspicion of lewd conduct with a child under 14.
“That’s all we can put out right now,” Scott said.

Medrano announced his resignation Tuesday night in a letter to the City Council.
Medrano cited health concerns for his decision.

“Due to the ongoing, unpredictable health problems that I’m experiencing, it has become very apparent to me that I am no longer able to serve in my current council member capacity.”

Scott said more information will become available later today.