San Diego

Santee Gymnastics Coach Arrested, Accused of Relationship With Minor

A Santee coach is accused of having a sexual relationship with a girl at a local gymnastics center.

Patrick Wehrung, 25, was arrested by San Diego Police Feb. 9 after parents of a 15-year-old girl called investigators.

San Diego Police investigators say they found evidence of a relationship between the coach and the gymnast spanning several months.

On several occasions, the girl was picked up by Wehrung and taken to La Jolla Shores, police said.

Wehrung worked as a coach for Champion Gymnastics and Cheer in Santee. Images of Wehrung on the center’s social media pages show him working out with some of the gymnasts.

Gym owner J.J. Ross said the alleged victim took lessons at the gym but she was not coached by Wehrung.

Ross said he’s “sick” over the allegations since he has known Wehrung for years. Ross said he considered himself a second father to Wehrung since he began coaching him as a junior high school student.

According to Ross, Wehrung worked at the gym for more than four years before he was fired on Jan. 22. Ross said he has worked to maintain a friendly, family atmosphere at the gym.

"Very frustrating. I've done my absolute best to do the right thing by these families and these children, that this is a place that is safe, happy, joyful. This individual has immensely affected that," he said.

Wehrung faces charges of unlawful sexual intercourse, oral copulation and penetration with a foreign object.

He is out on bail and was given a hearing date for Feb. 18 at which he will be arraigned and formally charged, according to a spokesperson from the San Diego County District Attorney's Office.

Anyone with information can call San Diego Police at 619-531-2210 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. 

If you think you have information regarding this story, you can contact NBC 7 Investigates at (619) 578-0393.

Contact Us