Phoenix-area youth baseball coach sentenced to 25 years for molestation
May 24, 2019, 4:30 PM
Richard Gallegos (Chandler Police photo)
(Chandler Police photo)
PHOENIX — A Phoenix-area youth baseball coach was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison for sexually abusing at least two minors who were on his team.
Richard Gallegos, 54, pleaded guilty to four sexual misconduct charges last month, according to ABC 15.
Gallegos was arrested in June 2018 on three counts of child molestation, five counts of sexual conduct of a minor and two counts of attempted sexual conduct with a minor.
The coach had been accused of molesting two boys between ages 11 and 14 from 2009 through 2011.
The investigation began when a mother reported to police in 2009 that she was concerned about Gallegos’ behavior toward her son.
Her son played for an Ahwatukee club baseball team that Gallegos coached. He also volunteered as a coach at Seton Catholic Preparatory High School in Chandler during that time period.
Police said they didn’t have enough evidence to arrest Gallegos at the time and the case was closed in 2011.
The case was reopened when two players came forward in June 2018 and told police that Gallegos had molested them at least 10 times.
Per the plea deal, Gallegos will be placed on lifetime probation after he is released from prison.
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