Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 06/06/03

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Assistant District Attorney Greg J. Jacobs Deputy District Attorney: Phillip J. Abrams

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

ATHLETIC COACH SENTENCED TO PRISON

The Office of the District Attorney announces that earlier today, 44-year-old Benito Rosales was sentenced to a term of 3 years and 8 months in state prison, following his conviction on 3 felony charges of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Judge Elliot Daum, who presided at the sentencing hearing, also ordered that Mr. Rosales register as a sex offender pursuant to Penal Code Section 290.

The case generated media attention following Mr. Rosales’ arrest in August of 2002, due to the fact that Mr. Rosales was a locally well-known volunteer athletic coach who had mentored a number of young athletes. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office sexual crimes division launched a full investigation of Mr. Rosales after it was reported that Rosales was having a sexual relationship with a young female athlete he had been coaching.

Further investigation revealed that several years earlier, Mr. Rosales also had a sexual relationship during a substantial time period with another under-age female high school athlete.

Investigators learned that Mr. Rosales had approached the young girls, who were both serious and dedicated high school athletes, and offered to be their mentor or coach.

“Mr. Rosales engendered the girls’ trust and confidence, then exploited their vulnerability,” said Deputy District Attorney Phillip J. Abrams, who prosecuted the case.

Detective Dave Thompson of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation.