GREENFIELD — Greenfield Police Department has arrested a Soledad High School basketball coach on suspicion of committing child molestation and sexual battery.
In December, two adult victims reported to police that they were sexually molested by Miguel Sanchez Rubio, of Greenfield, between the ages of 14 and 17. Officers conducted an investigation, which led to Rubio’s arrest on Feb. 3.
Rubio, 39, is an assistant coach for the Soledad High School girls’ basketball team. He has coached at the school since 2015.
“There is no indication at this time that any of our students were involved with the offenses he is accused of committing,” according to Soledad Unified School District in a statement that was circulating on social media. “The Soledad Unified School District conducts background checks on all candidates for employment prior to being hired. Mr. Rubio passed all background checks required of SUSD employees and coaches at the time of his hiring.”
Rubio has been suspended from his role with the team and “will not be allowed on school grounds moving forward,” the statement continued. “At this time, our focus is on the safety and wellbeing of our students.”
Rubio is being charged with five counts each of child molestation and sexual battery. He is currently being held in the Monterey County Jail on a $573,000 bail.
“We applaud the survivors for coming forward, and we have connected them with a victim advocate from the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office for support and services,” Greenfield Police said in a news release.
Police are asking anyone who has had inappropriate contact with Rubio to report it by calling the non-emergency phone number at 831-385-8311.
