Baltimore County soccer coach charged in sexual abuse case involving two teens
Towson, MD - A longtime Baltimore County soccer coach remains behind bars after he was charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse involving minors.
Police accuse youth soccer coach Roberto Garcia, 30, of sexually abusing two teenage players for more than 10 months.
"Mr. Garcia is a respected soccer coach. He's been a mentor to many. He is deeply loved and respected by his players, families and other members of the community," defense attorney Tom Maronick said.
Garcia faces four counts of sexual solicitation of a minor, three counts of indecent exposure to a minor, two counts of displaying obscene material to a minor and one count of continuously sexually abusing a minor.
“Obviously these are serious charges, but he's presumed innocent and we look forward to the chance to fight them when we get to court," Maronick said.
Investigators determined Garcia sometimes used Snapchat to communicate with the boys. The man offered them $100 to $500 to them to expose themselves, according to charging documents.
The investigators also found some of the sex abuse occurred out of state.
One victim told police Garcia bought him "stuff like a plane ticket, clothing, video games and food."
"To say they are investigating the matter is one thing for bail purposes, but they absolutely can't move forward on anything in a state court that would not have taken place in Maryland," Maronick said.
Court documents indicate Garcia told a victim in January he "was in trouble for grooming kids." He allegedly advised the victims not to tell anyone he was with them, "You don't know me for the next few months."
"He is presumed innocent and I think that is very important," Maronick said. "A lot of people see allegations, none of this means anything in a criminal court, they are simply allegations that are unproven and he deserves like any American does, his chance to have these tried in a court of law."
A Baltimore County judge denied Garcia bail Thursday and remains at the Baltimore County Detention Center. He is scheduled to appear again in court Sept. 11.
Judge denies bond for former Hollymead Elementary employee accused of child sex abuse
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - A judge has denied bond for a former Hollymead Elementary School employee accused of sexually abusing four girls under the age of 13.
Michael Swiney, who worked as a social emotional learning coach at the school, will remain held without bond at the Albemarle County Regional Jail as the case moves forward. Judge Cheryl Higgins issued the ruling Thursday following a bond hearing.
Swiney’s attorney, Christopher Leibig, asked Judge Higgins to release his client on a $50,000 bond. Under the proposed release plan, Swiney would have been confined to his home within a geofenced area, supervised by his wife.
Under the plan, Swiney would not be allowed to contact children other than his own 10-year-old and 3-year-old, and his internet access would have been limited to a shared computer under his wife’s supervision. Leibig described his client as a “rule follower,” arguing Swiney was not a flight risk and would comply with court-ordered conditions if granted.
Commonwealth’s Attorney W. Lawton Tufts argued against release, saying Swiney’s past alleged conduct shows he could not be trusted to follow court-ordered conditions. Tufts asked the judge to keep Swiney held without bond.
The allegations span from August 2024 through January 2026. Tufts told the court all four girls came forward before the allegations became public and that they had no social or family connection to one another.
Prosecutors accuse Swiney of grooming the girls, making sexual comments, exposing himself, and inappropriately touching one of the girls. The commonwealth also alleges Swiney showed one of the girls an explicit image of himself.
According to emails provided by Albemarle County Public Schools, nearly a year before the criminal investigation began, former Hollymead Principal Joe McAuley urged Swiney to stop holding one-on-one meetings with students and to keep his office door open at all times. The emails also show McAuley referenced posters Swiney had placed over the window on his door.
Prosecutors said Swiney did not follow those directions and continued meeting with students behind closed doors.
The defense pointed to a 14-page school division review involving one of the allegations. That review included multiple interviews and found the evidence did not establish that particular allegation as a crime or sexual harassment.
Tufts pushed back on the review, saying he did not agree with its conclusion. He told the court his concern was not only with the finding itself, but with what he called “questions of trustworthiness” surrounding the school division. Tufts also said the commonwealth has had difficulty obtaining information from school system during the criminal investigation.
The prosecution used that history to argue Swiney could also disregard conditions of house arrest.
Swiney now faces seven counts of aggravated sexual battery, one count of attempted aggravated sexual battery, and three counts of indecent liberties.
His next status hearing is scheduled for Sept. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Chicago Public Schools employee, anti-violence leader charged with sexually assaulting girls
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago Public Schools employee and anti-violence leader has been charged with sexually assaulting and grooming girls, officials said.
Prosecutors say the suspect, Charles McKenzie, made repeated lewd gestures toward a 14-year-old girl in 2017. At one point, he also allegedly fondled the teen, and later exposed himself on a Facetime video.
In March 2026, prosecutors say he sexually assaulted a different 14-year-old girl.
Court records showed he works as a school counseling assistant for a CPS school.
McKenzie was ordered to remain detained until his trial.
Tucson father charged with murder, sexual abuse in infant’s death
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The Pima County Sheriff’s Department arrested Derrick J. Gonzales, 34, in connection with the death of his five-month-old child.
When they arrived, they found the child unresponsive and without a pulse. The child was transported to a nearby hospital and was later pronounced dead.
Officials say hospital workers noticed additional trauma to the child that was inconsistent with the alleged accidental drowning.
After further investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Gonzales.
Gonzales is faced with charges first-degree murder and sexual abuse of a minor.
The cause of death is still under investigation.
