A walk-on baseball coach and substitute groundskeeper at a California high school has been charged with multiple sex crimes against a female student, according to prosecutors. Gabriel Vigil, 34, was working at Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo High School in Long Beach when he committed the alleged crimes. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has charged Vigil with one felony count each of sexual penetration of a person under 18, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor more than three years younger, oral copulation of a person under 18, contacting a minor for a sexual offense, and distributing or showing pornography to a minor. Vigil was also charged with two felony counts of meeting a minor for lewd purposes.
Vigil appeared in court Monday and pleaded not guilty. A judge set his bail at $250,000. Prosecutors believe there may be additional victims and are asking that they contact the Long Beach Police Department. A spokesperson for the Long Beach Unified School District told Fox News Digital that Vigil is no longer employed by the district and that the reported incident is currently under investigation. The district emphasized that any matter raising safety concerns is investigated promptly and thoroughly, in accordance with district protocols.
“Sex predators who exploit their position of trust in a school setting and target minors should know that my office will work with law enforcement to find you, arrest you and hold you fully accountable,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. “We fully support the victim in this case as prosecutors in our Sex Crimes Division seek justice against the perpetrator.” The district has also released a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations and the importance of protecting students. The case highlights the ongoing concerns about sexual abuse within educational institutions and the need for vigilant monitoring and reporting of such incidents.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is continuing its investigation and has requested any additional information from the public regarding possible victims or witnesses. The case serves as a reminder of the critical importance of safeguarding minors in educational environments. The community has been urged to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious behavior or incidents that may involve the exploitation of students.