LAGUNA NIGUEL – A 27-year-old youth soccer coach was arrested yesterday, charged with lewd acts on a minor, according to a press release from the Orange County Sheriff’s office.
Ronnie Gamez is known as a soccer coach for youth players in the Southern California Developmental Soccer League and other organizations, coaching both boys and girls teams for ages 11 to 17. He was also a notable player himself, playing on the Santiago Canyon College team along with other competitive clubs.
The parents a player in the youth soccer club found inappropriate communications between Gamez and their daughter. It appeared that the incidents occurred from February to March of this year, likely through text messaging, but with evidence of further contact between them. They reported what they discovered to law enforcement, which resulted in the arrest of Gamez, on charges of lewd acts on a minor.
Gamez had also been arrested just last week, Friday March 21 on unrelated charges of driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Ronnie Gamez (Facebook)
Sheriff’s investigators are concerned that with Gamez’s position as a coach for multiple youth teams that other victims may be out there who have not yet come forward. They encourage anyone with more information or who may be a victim to contact the Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Detail at 714-647-7419. Anonymous tips may be submitted to OC crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org. Parents of kids on any of Gamez’s teams are also encouraged to talk to their kids and check their phone and social media contacts with him.
