A Watsonville youth sports coach has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy two years ago.
Watsonville Police spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said Humberto Reyes-Palacios, 24, was taken into custody early Tuesday morning in Capitola.
Detectives initially served a search warrant at his residence on the 200 block of Misty Glade Lane in Watsonville.
The sexual abuse is believed to have happened in 2022 when Reyes-Palacios was a volunteer coach for the track and field team at Rolling Hills Middle School. But it wasn’t until early July that the abuse was reported to Watsonville Police.
In a prepared statement, PVUSD Superintendent Heather Contreras said that Reyes-Palacios does not currently work for PVUSD.
“We commend those who have come forward to report these allegations, as their courage is crucial in ensuring justice and protection for potential victims,” Contreras stated. “We understand that this information is very distressing. We want to emphasize that the safety and well-being of our students are our utmost priorities, and any behavior that compromises this is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our school community.”
Contreras added that the district’s counseling team is available to offer assistance and resources for our students who may need support.
Detectives suspect there may be additional victims.
Reyes-Palacios is facing charges of human sex trafficking of a minor, contacting a minor with intent to commit certain felonies, and lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14.
He was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail, jail records showed.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Marcos Rios at 889-8413.
