Sacramento County jury convicts soccer coach for sexually abusing two boys, DA says
A Sacramento County jury convicted a former soccer coach for sexually abusing two boys, including a 12-year-old boy he sexually assaulted while free on bail, prosecutors said.
The jury on Sept. 29 found Miguel Angel Hernandez Rivera guilty of 17 counts of child sexual abuse charges, one count of arranging a meeting with a minor with sexual intent and two counts of annoying a child with sexual intent, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday in a news release.
Rivera’s conviction included enhancements to his charges for sexually abusing the 12-year-old while out on bail and sexually assaulting more than one child victim, prosecutors said.
The criminal case against Rivera was filed in Sacramento Superior Court June 18, 2018, and he was arraigned on that same date. Those criminal charges stemmed from his relationship with the first victim.
Rivera was a soccer coach when he met a 13-year-old boy. Prosecutors said Rivera befriended the boy and his family, gaining their trust.
Over 10 months, Rivera sexually abused the boy nearly every day and directed the boy to send him explicit photos, according to the District Attorney’s Office. The boy’s mother discovered the photos sent to Rivera, and she reported it to law enforcement.
Rivera was arrested and later released from custody after posting a bail bond. Prosecutors said Rivera was out on bail when he sexually assaulted the 12-year-old son of his longtime family friends.
The second victim in the case told his mother about the sexual abuse, according to the District Attorney’s Office. The mother then reported it to law enforcement.
Rivera was arrested again and remained in custody at the Sacramento County Jail through the conclusion of his trial. On Wednesday, Rivera remained at the jail awaiting his Oct. 28 sentencing hearing.
Prosecutors said Rivera faces a maximum sentence of 41 years in prison. Deputy District Attorney Teal Ericson prosecuted the case.
