WATSONVILLE — Watsonville Police on Thursday morning arrested a Pajaro Valley High School cheerleading coach on suspicion that he solicited “provocative” photos from a teenage student.
Matthew Davis, 36, was arrested as he was on his way to work, WPD spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said.
Davis coached at the school for 15 years, according to Pajaronian archives.
He was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail for attempting to produce child pornography, solicit a minor for a sexual act and arranging to meet with an underage girl, Pulido said.
He was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail, jail records showed.
According to Pulido, Davis pressured a teenage girl to agree to a nude photo shoot over a three-week period.
The victim refused and reported his inappropriate behavior to school administrators this week. School administrators then notified the school resource officer, who initiated a criminal investigation.
Investigators then began to monitor text messages between the victim and Davis and gathered enough evidence to arrest him.
Pajaro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez said that Davis has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
“The safety of our students is our number one priority,” Rodriguez said. “We work in collaboration with Watsonville Police Department on any complaints that also fall in their jurisdiction.”
Police did not release the victim’s name. Investigators are trying to determine whether there are any more victims.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Rudy Lopez at 768-3357.
