Former Coach Arrested for Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is horrible. However, one of the lowest forms of abuse, is coming from someone you trust. Whether it’s from a family member or from a teacher you’re scared for life.
A former Scottsdale cheerleader coach is now arrested for accusations saying he was molesting two of his former athletes.
There are new court documents that show that twenty-one year old, Yohel Gattaz will now face one count of child molestation, as well as two counts of sexual conduct with a minor, two counts of sexual abuse, and one count of aggravated assault on a minor. Pretty serious charges.
According to reports, Gattaz had worked at the Desert Storm Elite in Scottsdale for a little less than a year. The incidents were said to have happened between January and March 2016. Eric Contreras who is the owner of the gym, confirmed that Gattaz was fired in May.
Eric Contreras Statement:
It was difficult because we do extensive background checks on all our employees and there was no criminal record. We take very good care of our kids and our families. It’s a safe place for children it always has been and always will be.
The court paperwork showed that the Phoenix Police had recieved a report about the sexual abuse on May 17th. They then contacted the victims mother. The mother made a report to the police that there could have been another child that had fallen as prey to Yohel. The other victim’s mother contacted the Scottsdale Police Department.
The girls were both fourteen years old. They both told the police that they had been inappropriately touched by Gattaz on separate incidents. One of the girls say that they had tried to roll away from Gattaz but he grabbed her and pulled her back towards him.
The other victim was upset and told the police “This isn’t right, this is illegal”.
Phoenix Girls Suffer from Sexual Abuse
In the court records, the locations of where the girls suffered the sexual abuse was not listed. There were some e-mails sent to the parents though that stated that the incident happened off the gym’s property. The e-mail also said that all of the Desert Storm Elite employees have to pass a background check. Gattaz passed his background check.
The owner is very adamant about the abuse not taking place at the gym property. He also makes it clear that nothing like this has ever happened at the gym before.
The parents wrote to the local news, they were worried that Gattaz could have even more victims that might be scared to come forward. He was very close to the teens at the gym and he did have to spend a lot of time on the road with them for competitions.
Gattaz was arrested on June 16th and he immediately requested an attorney. Since he asked for an attorney he was not asked any questions.
The mother of two, Pam White said that one of her daughters were also coached by Gattaz last year. She also said that she had never had any issues with the gym. She said that Gattaz was very professional.
Pam White’s Statement about Yohel:
I’ve always had a positive experience at the gym. The gym has become a second family for my daughters and I’ve always felt I’ve been very well informed by the gym with information parents needed to note.
She also said said that she will wait until after the police finish with their investigation before she will make the decision to let Yohel coach her child again or not.
Yohel’s attorney, Matt Hilscher said that “it’s important to remember at this point these are merely allegations” he also said that since Yohel is in ” this line of work makes him susceptible to these types of allegations”.
The online jail records show that a judge had set Gattaz bone at $150,000. His next court appearance is on July 1st.
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