Illegal Immigrant Youth Soccer Coach Facing Death Penalty in Rape and Murder of 13-Year-Old Player
LOS ANGELES — A youth soccer coach in California is facing capital murder charges and the possibility of the death penalty following the sexual assault and killing of one of his 13-year-old players. Prosecutors have identified the suspect as Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino, a 43-year-old undocumented immigrant from El Salvador who coached in the San Fernando Valley area.
The case centers on the death of Oscar “Omar” Hernandez, a teenager who played for the Hurricane Valley Boys Soccer Club. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Hernandez was last seen on March 28, 2025, when he traveled to Garcia-Aquino’s home in Lancaster. Investigators allege the coach lured the boy to his residence under the pretense of making soccer jerseys or performing household chores.
Hernandez was reported missing by his family shortly after the visit. His body was discovered days later, dumped in a roadside ditch in a remote area of Ventura County.
Prosecutors have charged Garcia-Aquino with one count of murder with the special circumstance allegation of murder during the commission of a lewd act with a child. This special circumstance enhancement makes the defendant eligible for the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
“The betrayal of trust in this case is unimaginable,” said a spokesperson for the District Attorney’s office. “A young boy who looked up to his coach was exploited and brutally killed.”
In February 2026, the case expanded as authorities filed additional charges against Garcia-Aquino involving other victims. The new filing includes nine counts of sexual abuse, specifically eight counts of sodomy with a minor under the age of 16 and one count of oral copulation with a minor. These charges stem from allegations involving another teenage player he previously coached, with incidents reportedly occurring between September 2022 and July 2023.
Law enforcement sources have confirmed that Garcia-Aquino entered the United States illegally before settling in the Los Angeles area. The case has drawn scrutiny regarding the vetting processes for youth sports coaches and the handling of prior allegations. Reports indicate that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department had investigated Garcia-Aquino for a separate sexual assault allegation nearly a year before Hernandez’s death, but an arrest warrant was not sought until days before the murder.
Garcia-Aquino has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He remains in custody without bail as the legal proceedings continue. The District Attorney’s office has stated that a final decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be determined at a later date, though the special circumstance charges keep the option open.
The Hernandez family has expressed devastation over the loss of the 13-year-old, describing him as an innocent child who loved soccer and trusted his mentor. As the investigation proceeds, authorities are urging any other potential victims or individuals with information about the coach’s conduct to come forward.
* foxnews.com
* iheart.com
* wikipedia.org
* youtube.com
* latimes.com
* laist.com
* cbsnews.com
