Former Pomona school employee pleads no contest in sex with minor

POMONA - A former Pomona Unified School District employee pleaded no contest this morning to a felony count of having unlawful sex with a minor.

Benjamin Chavez, 40, entered his plea in Pomona Superior Court as part of a plea bargain with prosecutors that carries a six-month jail sentence, according to documents contained in his court file. Chavez is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 15.

Chavez, who worked as a security guard and baseball coach at Garey High School, was arrested Sept. 24 on suspicion of having sex with a 17-year-old girl.

Prosecutors accused the Pomona resident of having sex with the girl Sept. 4 at the Lemon Tree Hotel in Pomona.

Chavez has been free on bail since his arrest. Deputy District Attorney Adam Chang said Chavez is expected to be taken into custody at his sentencing.

The prosecutor said that if Chavez fails to appear for sentencing, a judge could impose the maximum sentence of three years in state prison.

In addition to serving a jail sentence, Chavez must complete 180 days of community service and will be placed on probation for five years, according to documents contained in his court file.