Coach in San Jose faces sex charges
An assistant track coach in San Jose was arraigned Friday on charges that he had sex with two Mount Pleasant High School students, ages 14 and 17 — the second arrest in the East Side Union High School District in the past two months and the third citywide over alleged inappropriate contact with students.
Enoch Herbert Garcia, a 21- year- old San Jose resident, was arrested Tuesday. Santa Clara County prosecutors later filed 10 felony counts, including sex with a minor and lewd acts, and he made his first appearance in Superior Court on Friday. He did not enter a plea during a brief hearing as his bail was set at $ 300,000 and he was ordered to return Tuesday.
A school district employee had informed police about the allegations Monday, authorities said, and detectives interviewed the two female students the same day. Garcia had been employed by the district for three years, Superintendent Chris Funk said, but was fired in light of the allegations.
“It’s unfortunate, it’s regrettable, and it’s sickening,” Funk said. He said Garcia had passed district background checks.
Police believe there may be other victims who have not come forward, said Sgt. Enrique Garcia, a San Jose police spokesman, who blasted educators and coaches who exploit their
positions of power as “master manipulators” who “know how to groom their victims.”
“They have a moral obligation not to do these things,” he said. He urged parents to speak with their children about possible abuse and assure them that they won’t face repercussions for coming forward.
The allegations of abuse at Mount Pleasant High School are the latest in a string of similar cases the San Jose police have investigated.
Last month, a teacher at Summit Tahoma Charter School was arrested for allegedly having sex with a 17year- old student. Police identified the suspect as 29- year- old San Jose resident Zachary Drew.
Also last month, police announced the arrest of Jose Gonzalez, 35, who was interim assistant principal at James Lick High School, after he allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with a 17- year- old student. Gonzalez was placed on unpaid administrative leave from the East Side Union District pending the resolution of the criminal case, Funk said.
Police urged anyone with information about the latest case to call ( 408) 537- 1381. Those who want to remain anonymous can call ( 408) 947- 7867 or submit a tip on the San Jose Police Department’s website.