SANTA CLARA COUNTY (BCN) — A 41-year-old high school football coach who allegedly assaulted a girl at a Santa Clara County park late last year was arraigned Friday.
Danny Rodriguez, of Hollister, is facing charges of sexual battery and arranging a meeting with a minor for purposes of committing a lewd and lascivious behavior, Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Tim McInerny said.
He did not enter a plea and was issued a no-contact order against the victim in the case, McInerny said.
He is on leave from Christopher High School in Gilroy where he is a football coach and teacher’s aide, according to deputies.
Rodriguez is accused of sexually assaulting a girl at Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch Park, east of Gilroy, on Nov. 8, according to deputies.
Deputies were notified of the alleged crime later that night and Rodriguez was arrested three days later, deputies said.
Rodriguez had met the girl while he lived with her family, deputies said.
He remains on leave from the high school pending the outcome of the investigation, district officials said.
Rodriguez had undergone a criminal background check before he was hired, district officials said.
He faces up to four years in state prison if convicted, according to McInerny.
Defense attorney Joe Cisneros, who appeared in court on behalf of attorney Larry Biegal, said Rodriguez is taking the charges seriously.
Rodriguez is out of custody on $65,000 bail and is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 19, Cisneros said.