Coach Pleads Guilty to Molesting Student

A former high school swimming coach is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to molesting a 16-year-old female student at El Capitan High School.

Ryan Stevens, 22, is a former part-time assistant swim coach at El Capitan High School.

Stevens pleaded guilty to oral copulation with a person under 18 years of age at a readiness hearing on Monday. Stevens faces up to three years in prison, according to prosecutor Nikki Weiner, who said Stevens probably wouldn't serve any time.

"[Stevens is] unlikely to be sentenced to jail," Weiner said, since this is his first criminal offense he will likely be placed on probation.

Under California law, this charge is not subject to registration as a sex offender, according to Weiner. She says the decision to have Stevens register as a sex offender will be left up to the judge.

The alleged sexual assault happened off campus in November 2010 at Stevens’ home after a Halloween Party, according to sheriff's deputies.

The home on Golden Top Drive in Lakeside was used for Tom's Haunted House, according to sheriff's deputies. Students from El Capitan High were volunteering at the Halloween event.

The 16-year-old was allegedly assaulted while students and other volunteers were cleaning up the house, according to deputies.

He was booked for oral copulation with a minor by force or fear.

Stevens was a walk-on, seasonal coach for El Capitan High School from 2008 to 2010, according to school officials.

The district said that Stevens was a dive coach for both the girls and boys teams at El Capitan. On the Grossmont College website, Stevens was listed as member of the dive team in 2007.

Stevens will be sentenced on July 11.

 

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