A soccer coach charged with five felony counts stemming from allegations that he sexually molested a 15-year-old player pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles Superior Court Tuesday afternoon, according to district attorney officials.
Javier Arrioja, 48, of Los Angeles, faces four counts of lewd acts upon a child age 14 or 15, and one count of sending harmful matter -- that is, consciously sending material, usually of sexual nature, to a minor, said Shiara Dávila-Morales with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.
One victim alleged Arrioja assaulted him on four occasions between May and Nov. 2011, Dávila-Morales said.
The victim claims the assaults occurred at various locations, including Arrioja’s home and local parks, the prosecutor said.
Arrioja, who was arrested Feb. 17, coached the Missioneros, a private soccer club for boys under age 17.
He is beind held at Twin Towers Correctional Facility on $150,000 bail, said Sandi Gibbons, director of communications for the district attorney's office.
If he should make that bail, Arrioja will be prohibited from being in the company of anyone under 18 years old without adult supervision, Gibbons said.
Arrioja's preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 5 in Los Angeles Superior Court. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of five years, eight months in state prison.
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