Rancho girls' softball coach accused of kissing girl, 13

UPDATED AT 5:30

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- A girls' softball coach has been charged with a misdemeanor sex crime for allegedly kissing a 13-year-old girl on his team, prosecutors said today.

Frank John Castellanos, 48, would be required to register for a sex offender for the rest of his life if convicted of the charge, said Deputy District Attorney Jason Anderson.

Castellanos, of Rancho Cucamonga, allegedly kissed the girl, a member of his Rancho Cucamonga softball team, as they sat together in a car on Feb. 11, Anderson said.

The charge against Castellanos -- for annoying or molesting a child -- was filed Tuesday in West Valley Superior Court.

Castellanos is scheduled to be arraigned on July 20, Anderson said.

San Bernardino County sheriff's Detective Steve Burgraff, the investigating officer in Castellanos' case, said authorities learned of the allegations against the coach on May 28.

Investigators interviewed the alleged victim that day, and she detailed the alleged contact she had with Castellanos, Burgraff said.

The following day, Burgraff said he and other investigators went to the softball field where Castellanos' team, a "travel ball" squad called "S.U. Force," was scheduled to practice.

Investigators notified team parents of the allegations, and Castellanos agreed to be interviewed later that day at the Rancho Cucamonga sheriff's station, Burgraff said.

In an interview with police, Castellanos denied the girl's allegations of sexual misconduct, Burgraff said.

Burgraff said there is evidence to corroborate the girl's version of events. The detective declined to identify the corroborating evidence.

He said parents of other girls on the team have been notified of the allegations. "They were all surprised," Burgraff said.

None of the girls have reported having similar contact with Castellanos, Burgraff said.

Castellanos has been instructed to have no contact with the girls on the team, the detective said.

"I don't believe he has had any contact with the players since our interview with him," Burgraff said.