Bahram Hojreh, previously a coach at the International Water Polo Club in Los Alamitos, California, has been brought to court on almost two-dozen charges ranging from sexual battery to child annoyance.
That’s according to The Orange County Register, which reports that Hojreh pleaded “not guilty” to all charges this week. That story reports that prosecutors say Hojreh sexually assaulted seven girls during one-on-one coaching sessions, and that four of the seven were 15 years old or younger at the time of the coaching sessions.
The OC Register report says Hojreh is accused of touching players breasts and genitals (including digital penetration) while also coercing the girls to touch his own genitals. Parents of the girls reported Hojreh to authorities when their daughters told them about the alleged abuse.
USA Water Polo has suspended Hojreh’s seat on the regional board as well as his membership after the U.S. Center for SafeSport learned of the allegations back in January.
Hojreh had previously coached high school water polo at Kennedy High School and University High School, both in Southern California. His lawyer categorically denied the charges, pointing to Hojreh’s previously “impeccable” reputation over his career.
The OC Register reports that Hojreh could face up to 13 years and 4 months in state prison and 10 years in county jail.
It just seems that US Olympics that governs various Sports organizations from the doctor of US gymnastics to the coach of US polo just seems to care about these organizations make for the Olympics than to safeguard the girls and their families that make huge sacrifices to send their daughters to making the DREAM of the Olympics.
Ummm what is child annoyance? Honestly never heard of it before.
Too much going on kinda disappointed in society..
thats a new one to me as well.