The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has filed nine additional child sex charges against an illegal immigrant soccer coach already accused of sexually assaulting and murdering a 13-year-old boy under his supervision.
Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino, 44, a national of El Salvador who entered the United States illegally, now faces eight counts of sodomy of a person under age 16 and one count of oral copulation of a minor under 16, according to an amended complaint filed this week. Garcia-Aquino has pleaded not guilty to these additional charges through his attorney.
The new charges come on top of existing accusations that Garcia-Aquino murdered Oscar Hernandez, a 13-year-old boy he coached, while sexually assaulting him on March 28. Court documents from the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles also accuse Garcia-Aquino of a separate sexual assault and rape of another child in December.
After entering the United States as what immigration officials term a “gotaway,” Garcia-Aquino established himself in the San Fernando Valley as a youth soccer coach. His position managing these teams made him a regular presence at Whitsett Fields Park in North Hollywood, a venue where youth soccer games are played and where he allegedly met young Oscar Hernandez.
The case has raised serious questions about background screening procedures for youth sports coaches and the broader implications of inadequate border security measures. Garcia-Aquino’s ability to assume a position of trust and authority over children despite his illegal status represents a failure of multiple systems designed to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, which is prosecuting the case, has declined to provide additional comment on the ongoing proceedings. The LA County Public Defender’s Office, which is representing Garcia-Aquino, did not respond to requests for comment.
This case continues to develop as prosecutors build their case against the accused. The amended complaint suggests that investigators have uncovered evidence of additional victims beyond the murdered teen, though authorities have not released details about how many children may have been affected or the timeline of the alleged abuse.
The tragedy has devastated the local community, where parents trusted Garcia-Aquino with their children’s athletic development and safety. The case serves as a stark reminder of the human cost when immigration enforcement fails and when proper vetting procedures are not adequately implemented for those working with minors.
As this case proceeds through the California court system, it will undoubtedly fuel ongoing debates about immigration policy, public safety, and the responsibilities of local authorities to protect children in their care.
Related: January Jobs Report Exceeds Expectations as Economy Adds 130,000 Positions
