California Coach Convicted After Assault Victims Took the Stand at Trial

A prominent youth sports coach in California has been convicted of sexual assault and molestation. Christopher Flores, 39, worked at STARS Prep Academy in Santa Ana, Calif., during both incidents.

He is facing up to 12 years in prison for four counts of felony lewd acts upon a child, two felony counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object and sexual assault. Sentencing has not yet taken place, but it is scheduled for October.

Flores’s victims were a 22-year-old employee at STARS Prep Academy and a 15-year-old student-athlete. Both incidents took place in 2021 and 2022. Flores was arrested after a phone all between himself and the 15-year-old student was recorded and sent to online sources.

During the call, Flores can be heard flirting with the girl, pressuring her to join him on a date and saying, “sure you got rid of everything?”

Many details of the incidents came out during Flores’s trial when both of his victims took the stand to testify. The women talked about his sexual misconduct. 

According to KTLA 5, the Orange County district attorney, Todd Spitzer said, “These athletes went there to train in an effort to excel at their sport, not to be victimized by a pedophile. What happened is horrifying and the youth sports community as a whole has been victimized by the actions of a grown man who not only abused his victims but abused that position of trust in the most twisted way.” 

Prior to his arrest and conviction, Flores had coached high profile athletes including Bryce Young, Heisman trophy winner and Alabama football player. He also coached DJ Uiagalelei, Clemson University’s starting quarterback. Despite his many years of coaching history, no other student-athletes have come forward with claims of sexual assault or misconduct. 

“As we watch elite athletes from across the world compete in the Olympics, this is a powerful reminder of how vulnerable young female athletes are and how important vigorous investigations and prosecutions can protect additional children from being victimized and bring these abusers to justice.” Said Spitzer.