A cheerleading coach in San Jose has been arrested on charges of sexual abuse. The man coached cheerleading teams at the Andrew Hill High School and Energy Athletics. The 23-year-old man was allegedly arrested at his home on suspicion of child molestation, and is currently at the Santa Clara County Jail.

According to the charges, the man molested a minor in one of his cheerleading groups. Police allege that the abuse occurred several times at different spots across San Jose. The victim, allegedly a 14-year-old boy, is believed to be associated with either Energy Athletics or the high school. Police also believe that the abuse took place over 3 months. Police have no reason to believe at this point, that any other child, either at Andrew Hill High School or Energy Athletics, was molested.

The allegations have come as a surprise to people who know the cheerleading coach. Those who have spoken to the media have nothing but positive things to say about him, and he has no police record.

There's been a lot of attention on sexual abuse in school environments around the country since the revelation of sexual abuse involving coaches at Penn State and Syracuse University. Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys will not be at all surprised to find an increase in law-enforcement activity targeting ‘sex crimes‘ in California in response to the Penn State and Syracuse scandals.

Unfortunately, a person who has been charged with sexual abuse or molestation of a child may find that he has been tried and sentenced even before trial. Allegations of sexual abuse are not only some of the most serious crimes that you can be accused of, but also the most damaging to an individual’s reputation. It can take experienced and skilled criminal defense to ensure that these charges do not stick.