A California swim coach was arrested and charged with sexual assault of a 7-year-old girl this month, pleading not guilty this week.
Steven Matthew Garcia is accused of sexual assaulting a minor between October of 2016 and January of 2017. The 27-year-old was employed by the city of Commerce, CA as a swimming coach. He’s charged with six counts of committing a lewd act on a child after the girl claimed he fondled her on several occasions in an employee lounge at the local aquatic center and told her not to tell anyone.
The local NBC affiliate says Garcia will have a February 1 court date in Los Angeles. Judge Mark Hanasono ordered Garcia to be held in jail in lieu of a large bail amount. The NBC station reports $600,000, while another report lists $750,000 bail. The second report also says Garcia is being held in the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles.
Garcia was arrested last Friday. He was arraigned on Wednesday, pleading not guilty. If he’s ultimately convicted, the charges could lead to up to 14 years in prison. The next hearing will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to a trial.