Former Monterey County soccer coach pleads guilty to 12 counts of crimes against children
SALINAS – Julio Cesar Gonzalez Garcia, 38, of Salinas, pleaded guilty last week to a total of 12 felony charges committed against eight children between the ages of 13 and 15. He faces a minimum of 30 years in prison.
Garcia, a former soccer coach, pleaded guilty to three charges of contacting children online for the purpose of distributing sexual material, one charge for providing marijuana to a child over 14 and eight charges of unlawful sexual touching including forcible lewd acts, according to a news release.
On Oct. 27, 2022, Salinas police officers responded to a report from a 15-year-old student at North Salinas High School, said the news release. The student, Jane Doe No. 1, reported that Garcia had contacted her on social media and sent her a photograph of his genitals. At the same time, Jane Doe No. 2 reported she experienced the same social media contact and that Garcia had forcefully kissed her on the mouth, touched her genitals and attempted to force her to touch him.
A subsequent investigation discovered six additional victims. Garcia knew all of the victims from local soccer programs and coached most of them personally.
Garcia offered three victims marijuana. The abuse ranged from touching victims’ upper things to the sexual assault of one victim. Another victim reported her abuse occurred on multiple occasions.
Many of the victims reported Garcia offered them rides home from practice or games and once they were alone, would drive them to a park to engage in lewd contact.
Four of the charges against Garcia are strikes under California’s Three Strikes Law. He will be sentenced on April 25 and faces a minimum of 30 years and maximum of 41 years in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Garcia will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.