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Authorities seek victims, witnesses in softball coach sex abuse case

by The AV Times Staff • August 23, 2012

Jose Lopez (LASD booking photo)

LANCASTER – Sheriff’s detectives are seeking the public’s help in identifying possible victims and witnesses connected with the arrest of girls’ softball coach, Jose Lopez, for alleged having sex with one of his teenage players.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Brian Hudson of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Bureau at 877-710-5273, or SpecialVictims@lasd.org.

As The AV Times reported Monday, Lopez was a coach on a championship-winning junior fastpitch softball team in the Antelope Valley that included 14 to 18-year-old girls.

The 35-year-old became the subject of an investigation in July 2012, when allegations were made that he had been involved in an on-ongoing sexual relationship with one of his players, a 16-year-old girl.

On August 7, sheriff’s detectives arrested Lopez for committing lewd acts with a child. Lopez was released about seven hours later on $100,000 bail, according to the sheriff’s department’s inmate information system.

On Aug. 15, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed four felony counts against Lopez: Two felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, one felony count of penetration with a foreign object, and one felony count of lewd acts with a child. The incidents occurred between February and July of this year, according to court records.

Lopez is set to be arraigned in an Antelope Valley courtroom on Sept. 11.

(Information via press release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau.)

–

Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

38 comments for "Authorities seek victims, witnesses in softball coach sex abuse case"

  1. teshi says

    August 24, 2012 at 11:58 pm

    Can not mistake Dating with Child Sexual Abuse!! Under 18 is Illegal!! And the Adult Male or Female can and will be Charged, investigated and Convicted! And that is the Issue!! BOTTOM LINE!! Don’t try and defend this Sexual Predator!!This is still a young girl, who was used and manipulated by a MAN TWICE HER AGE!!
    PENAL CODE
    SECTION 11164-11174.3

    11164. (a) This article shall be known and may be cited as the
    Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act.
    (b) The intent and purpose of this article is to protect children
    from abuse and neglect. In any investigation of suspected child abuse
    or neglect, all persons participating in the investigation of the
    case shall consider the needs of the child victim and shall do
    whatever is necessary to prevent psychological harm to the child
    victim.

    11165. As used in this article “child” means a person under the age
    of 18 years.

    11165.1. As used in this article, “sexual abuse” means sexual
    assault or sexual exploitation as defined by the following:
    (a) “Sexual assault” means conduct in violation of one or more of
    the following sections: Section 261 (rape), subdivision (d) of
    Section 261.5 (statutory rape), 264.1 (rape in concert), 285
    (incest), 286 (sodomy), subdivision (a) or (b), or paragraph (1) of
    subdivision (c) of Section 288 (lewd or lascivious acts upon a
    child), 288a (oral copulation), 289 (sexual penetration), or 647.6
    (child molestation).
    (b) Conduct described as “sexual assault” includes, but is not
    limited to, all of the following:
    (1) Any penetration, however slight, of the vagina or anal opening
    of one person by the penis of another person, whether or not there
    is the emission of semen.
    (2) Any sexual contact between the genitals or anal opening of one
    person and the mouth or tongue of another person.
    (3) Any intrusion by one person into the genitals or anal opening
    of another person, including the use of any object for this purpose,
    except that, it does not include acts performed for a valid medical
    purpose.
    (4) The intentional touching of the genitals or intimate parts
    (including the breasts, genital area, groin, inner thighs, and
    buttocks) or the clothing covering them, of a child, or of the
    perpetrator by a child, for purposes of sexual arousal or
    gratification, except that, it does not include acts which may
    reasonably be construed to be normal caretaker responsibilities;
    interactions with, or demonstrations of affection for, the child; or
    acts performed for a valid medical purpose.
    (5) The intentional masturbation of the perpetrator’s genitals in
    the presence of a child.
    (c) “Sexual exploitation” refers to any of the following:
    (1) Conduct involving matter depicting a minor engaged in obscene
    acts in violation of Section 311.2 (preparing, selling, or
    distributing obscene matter) or subdivision (a) of Section 311.4
    (employment of minor to perform obscene acts).
    (2) Any person who knowingly promotes, aids, or assists, employs,
    uses, persuades, induces, or coerces a child, or any person
    responsible for a child’s welfare, who knowingly permits or
    encourages a child to engage in, or assist others to engage in,
    prostitution or a live performance involving obscene sexual conduct,
    or to either pose or model alone or with others for purposes of
    preparing a film, photograph, negative, slide, drawing, painting, or
    other pictorial depiction, involving obscene sexual conduct. For the
    purpose of this section, “person responsible for a child’s welfare”
    means a parent, guardian, foster parent, or a licensed administrator
    or employee of a public or private residential home, residential
    school, or other residential institution.
    (3) Any person who depicts a child in, or who knowingly develops,
    duplicates, prints, or exchanges, any film, photograph, video tape,
    negative, or slide in which a child is engaged in an act of obscene
    sexual conduct, except for those activities by law enforcement and
    prosecution agencies and other persons described in subdivisions (c)
    and (e) of Section 311.3.

  2. Jacky Johnson says

    August 24, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    Reading these comments makes me realize that people don’t get “it”. Talking about the possibility that the girl lied? You don’t seem to understand how this works. Even if the sex was consensual, the point of the laws on the books are to SAVE young children from SEDUCTION.
    Can a 16 year old WANT TO HAVE SEX? Of course. This is a time when their hormones are raging.
    WHICH IS WHAT THE PREDATOR COUNTS ON. As adults, WE AREN’T SUPPOSED TO PLAY ON THOSE RAGING HORMONES.
    Which this dirt bag did.
    Hell yes he’s a bad man.
    And she is most certainly a victim.

  3. Quigley says

    August 23, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    What a POS…this guy just destroyed so many lives. My sympathy to all who are living this nightmare.

    • Frank rizzo says

      August 24, 2012 at 12:09 pm

      Do you know he is guilty? Wow what are you the mentalist?

      • teshi says

        August 24, 2012 at 1:15 pm

        Yeah he is guilty!! The victim and her family have came forward!!

        • Leon says

          August 24, 2012 at 1:23 pm

          It’s “come” forward. English 101.

          • teshi says

            August 24, 2012 at 1:45 pm

            Okay Professor!! Obviously you got the message, and point! Swallow it, hopefully you don’t choke on it!! =]p

          • Frank rizzo says

            August 24, 2012 at 3:46 pm

            Hey tooshie, so if I say you hit me then that means you did? Wow tooshie you are a dumb [removed].

          • teshi says

            August 24, 2012 at 9:36 pm

            Hey GreezO- You sound like a Perv!! Calling me out of my name, some should run your name!! So many Sex Offender out here in the AV, chances are you are one too!! Defending a Perv, wouldn’t surprise me at all!! And that is not how it works. They investigate a reported sexual crime, like an assault there has to be evidence in order to charge some, probable cause. Look that up! Very easy to do so!! =]

          • teshi says

            August 24, 2012 at 9:56 pm

            Dumb??
            Your Petty insults do not effect me, because you are ignorant to our Laws[ committing lewd acts with a child] IS A CRIME!! In case you did not know!!
            Man, I laugh at the ignorance that infests this Valley! The lack of knowledge you have is not shocking, most don’t know their rights, most assume they are above the law and claim to KNOW IT ALL!! Okay Mr. Cochran, bail out your Buddy so he can Prey on more children, while laughing in your face, for defending him!! Dumb? Yeah, you are Pretty Smart there!!

          • Frank rizzo says

            August 24, 2012 at 4:23 pm

            Good one Leon. Teach tooshie how to speak. Lol

          • Leon says

            August 24, 2012 at 4:43 pm

            Thanks. I don’t like it when people don’t talk good.

          • Hits home says

            August 24, 2012 at 5:32 pm

            Okay so don’t you mean talk well..huhh

          • Leon says

            August 24, 2012 at 5:43 pm

            Please don’t tell me you didn’t realize that was a joke…..

          • teshi says

            August 24, 2012 at 9:40 pm

            That is funny!! You claim to be joking when you are corrected!!What a Joke!! You are a laugh!! Like your reasoning!!

          • Leon says

            August 24, 2012 at 10:33 pm

            You need a space between “corrected!!” and “What”.

          • teshi says

            August 24, 2012 at 11:53 pm

            You need to realize that the spacing within my response is not the issue, like politicians, you use minor things like this sway others from the real problem here! A 35 year old MAN, took advantage of a 16 year old girl. Here in the US, that is a Crime. Not my “Came-Come” and spacing!
            Lets take a look at the Law, and since you are an educated man Leon,and not so educated “Friends-WOW/Frank,” maybe after reading the law in it’s entirety you will not mistake “Dating” with Child Sexual Abuse!!
            Enjoy D-Bags!
            PENAL CODE
            SECTION 11164-11174.3

            11164. (a) This article shall be known and may be cited as the
            Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act.
            (b) The intent and purpose of this article is to protect children
            from abuse and neglect. In any investigation of suspected child abuse
            or neglect, all persons participating in the investigation of the
            case shall consider the needs of the child victim and shall do
            whatever is necessary to prevent psychological harm to the child
            victim.

            11165. As used in this article “child” means a person under the age
            of 18 years.

            11165.1. As used in this article, “sexual abuse” means sexual
            assault or sexual exploitation as defined by the following:
            (a) “Sexual assault” means conduct in violation of one or more of
            the following sections: Section 261 (rape), subdivision (d) of
            Section 261.5 (statutory rape), 264.1 (rape in concert), 285
            (incest), 286 (sodomy), subdivision (a) or (b), or paragraph (1) of
            subdivision (c) of Section 288 (lewd or lascivious acts upon a
            child), 288a (oral copulation), 289 (sexual penetration), or 647.6
            (child molestation).
            (b) Conduct described as “sexual assault” includes, but is not
            limited to, all of the following:
            (1) Any penetration, however slight, of the vagina or anal opening
            of one person by the penis of another person, whether or not there
            is the emission of semen.
            (2) Any sexual contact between the genitals or anal opening of one
            person and the mouth or tongue of another person.
            (3) Any intrusion by one person into the genitals or anal opening
            of another person, including the use of any object for this purpose,
            except that, it does not include acts performed for a valid medical
            purpose.
            (4) The intentional touching of the genitals or intimate parts
            (including the breasts, genital area, groin, inner thighs, and
            buttocks) or the clothing covering them, of a child, or of the
            perpetrator by a child, for purposes of sexual arousal or
            gratification, except that, it does not include acts which may
            reasonably be construed to be normal caretaker responsibilities;
            interactions with, or demonstrations of affection for, the child; or
            acts performed for a valid medical purpose.
            (5) The intentional masturbation of the perpetrator’s genitals in
            the presence of a child.
            (c) “Sexual exploitation” refers to any of the following:
            (1) Conduct involving matter depicting a minor engaged in obscene
            acts in violation of Section 311.2 (preparing, selling, or
            distributing obscene matter) or subdivision (a) of Section 311.4
            (employment of minor to perform obscene acts).
            (2) Any person who knowingly promotes, aids, or assists, employs,
            uses, persuades, induces, or coerces a child, or any person
            responsible for a child’s welfare, who knowingly permits or
            encourages a child to engage in, or assist others to engage in,
            prostitution or a live performance involving obscene sexual conduct,
            or to either pose or model alone or with others for purposes of
            preparing a film, photograph, negative, slide, drawing, painting, or
            other pictorial depiction, involving obscene sexual conduct. For the
            purpose of this section, “person responsible for a child’s welfare”
            means a parent, guardian, foster parent, or a licensed administrator
            or employee of a public or private residential home, residential
            school, or other residential institution.
            (3) Any person who depicts a child in, or who knowingly develops,
            duplicates, prints, or exchanges, any film, photograph, video tape,
            negative, or slide in which a child is engaged in an act of obscene
            sexual conduct, except for those activities by law enforcement and
            prosecution agencies and other persons described in subdivisions (c)
            and (e) of Section 311.3.

        • Mel says

          August 24, 2012 at 1:43 pm

          So that makes him guilty? And what if this girl is not telling the truth? Isn’t it innocent until proven guilty, not guilty until proven innocent? Wait for the trial before you rush to judgement!

          • teshi says

            August 24, 2012 at 1:58 pm

            When it comes to a child, their should consideration of a possible “false” claim. In this case, everything that has come to light, has given police probable cause to arrest and file charges. With that I can assume it is more probable than not , that this POS has committed a crime against this minor and of course he has the right to defend himself and his actions in court. And in a majority of these cases other victims will come forward, and the perpetrator is convicted. I personally do not know either one. Being a parent, would ALWAYS believe my child over another, in this type of allegation, I would never for 1 second NOT believe my child and would do everything I could to have the Perv locked away and not violate another child.

          • Lame People says

            August 25, 2012 at 1:34 am

            HE ADMITTED TO IT, She is not lying because this is not something a 16 year old girl would really want to go through. he is a POS as well as the people that stood around and did nothing!!!

          • teshi says

            August 25, 2012 at 10:17 pm

            Lame, I agree! Those who knew should have went to authorities, instead of doing noting!

          • Leon says

            August 26, 2012 at 12:21 pm

            should have “gone” to authorities. Your grammar ain’t helping your cause.

          • Teshi says

            August 26, 2012 at 8:16 pm

            Leon, “went to– gone to…” they should have went to authorities instead of doing nothing…” BOTTOM LINE!!
            This is Same thing you KEEP mentioning, get over it!! Suprised you did not mention my missing H in nothing!! Stick to your day job!! Your Lame ass “Paper Grading” is so yesterday!!! Yawn!!

          • Teshi says

            August 26, 2012 at 8:20 pm

            Leon you must really like me!! I see that your corrections are towards me, and no one else!! ;^)p
            Well it is nice and All but I am married! Try your Grammer checks on another! There are plenty out there, good luck!!

          • Leon says

            August 26, 2012 at 8:31 pm

            I realized that the missing “h” was just a typo. But doesn’t “should have went” sound horribly wrong to you? It’s like fingernails on a chalkboard. If you want to be with me, you’ll need to take an English refresher course first…then I’ll make my decision.

          • teshi says

            August 26, 2012 at 10:58 pm

            Leon, Leon…Ahhh!! What to do, what to do?
            Yes, but I am not trying to win you over with grammar! And I can say I have taken English 101 and 102, passing with an A and B!! Yikes!! I know, it is my passion to write, leaving out many grammer corrections, especially when I am passionate about a certain subject. I have 4 kids, so seeing something like this drives me nuts! Really! Although I can see your point, I can also get past the minor things like grammar, when a subject like this is the topic. Correct away, sir!! =]p

          • teshi says

            August 26, 2012 at 10:59 pm

            Grammar, that should say…I know!

          • Leon says

            August 27, 2012 at 5:48 pm

            Again, “grammer” was just a typo, which happens to the most educated of us. No harm no foul there. I’ll be watching your next posts, and will notify you of any glaring problems…just because I’m a nice guy, and you’re obviously attracted to my grammar and punctuation skills, among other things.

          • teshi says

            August 28, 2012 at 12:14 am

            Well I do not have AV Press online so I am not getting added info on this. Like others who have posted,BUT I still feel the same way about this guy. That he is a child predator and the definition of “Child Sexual Abuse” is clear cut, although others my see this teen as a liar or misleading; our law is clear on the subject. Under 18 is illegal and perpetrators can and will be prosecuted! And that is my point through this entire comment debate. the Banter was interesting but I do appreciate your corrections, unwanted but insightful and “refreshing” none the less!! To the Next Topic we go, Leon!!

          • lets talk says

            August 28, 2012 at 10:06 am

            why are you so angry about all this?

          • Martha says

            August 28, 2012 at 9:57 am

            Who said he admitted this!! I haven’t read this on any paper or news. Did the VICTIM say this? Of course she’s going to say that. Listen, kids lie ALL the time, why don’t we wait until all HER dirt comes out then we can judge. I still feel this kid’s lying.

          • Adam Chant says

            August 28, 2012 at 2:14 pm

            Without calling out people in this community I have to say that I have seen this kind of stuff first hand and from both sides of the fence. I was in gymnastics for most of my childhood here in the A.V. and know that coaches had relationships and eventually married students. As a child I remember the girls being around my age and older, but now as an adult realize that doing the math it may have been questionable.
            At the same time I know of a case where a child was being abused by the stepfather and made a claim against another trusted adult. When the dust settled a lot of people were messed up because the stepfather was proven to be the guilty party and a lot of kids had been to sleepovers at the girls house over the years.
            In this case I don’t know what happened, and reserve judgement for those with enough information to do so.
            The bottom line though is that as an adult we have a responsibility to be a positive influence on children no matter what their mental state. If she had problems that compelled her to be sexually active it would be wrong no matter what age he was to take advantage of that.

        • Unknown says

          August 28, 2012 at 8:16 am

          Your seriously ridiclous haha

          • Leon says

            August 28, 2012 at 8:55 am

            Here we go again! “You’re”

      • Quigley says

        August 24, 2012 at 3:15 pm

        No Frank I don’t, ur right. But one of us is wrong and will be eating crow…so I guess we will have to wait and see what the verdict is.

        • teshi says

          August 24, 2012 at 9:42 pm

          Which will be GUILTY!! And his Defenders will be Mum, while eating Crap!! =]

          • Frank rizzo says

            August 24, 2012 at 10:12 pm

            Tesh I would never live in that town. And I think you saying that I am a pretdator is slander. So I would watch what you say. I am just saying don’t judge someone until the truth comes out.

          • teshi says

            August 25, 2012 at 12:17 am

            Well Frank, since we are stating that “we” should watch what we say due to slander, you should again re-read what I, stated, here I will quote myself,”You sound like a Perv!! Calling me out of my name, some should run your name!! So many Sex Offender out here in the AV, chances are you are one too!!”
            Saying you “SOUND LIKE” and “You are A Perv” I know you are a Perv” and Chances are” are not in the legal defamation of Slander.Slander is spoken, verbal defamation, Libel which you are referring to is Written defamation…
            Look it up! Nice try. have a great morning! =]p

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