L.A. soccer coach arrested for allegedly molesting youths on his team

A 42-year-old soccer coach was arrested on suspicion of molesting a 13-year-boy and two other players on his team.

Jose Duarte was arrested in the Mid-City area after the boy said Sunday that he had been molested at his home. Police said two other victims were identified during an investigation.

Duarte was charged by the Los Angeles County district attorney's office with 15 felony counts of child molestation.

Duarte coaches a Team called USA, which practiced and played at MacArthur Park in Westlake, Vista Hermosa Park in the Temple-Beaudry area and at the Gilbert Lindsey Recreation Center in South Los Angeles.

Duarte was being held in lieu of $2.2-million bail.

Child molestation is a sex crime that involves the sexual abuse of a child. This is one of the most serious types of sexual offense charges that a person may face. If the alleged offense was committed, a defendant may face misdemeanor or felony charges for the molestation of a child.

It is important that you do not wait to involve an attorney if you have been accused of sex crimes in Los Angeles. Contact Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Robert Helfend for an experienced and aggressive lawyer who will fight for you.