A prominent Orange County youth coach was convicted Tuesday of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a young woman.
The Superior Court jury found Christopher Martin Flores, a former coach and trainer at the Stars Prep Academy, guilty of seven felony counts, including four counts of lewd acts on a child age 14 or 15, two counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object of a victim younger than 16, and a count of sexual penetration by a foreign object involving a 22-year-old woman.
The jury deliberated for several hours, according to the Orange County Register. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 4.
Known as “Coach Frogg” in Orange County athletic circles, the Bellflower resident worked at times with high-profile athletes, such as Bryce Young, former quarterback at Santa Ana’s Mater Dei High School. Young, who went on to play at Alabama, won the Heisman Trophy in 2021 and was selected first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.
Flores also worked with DJ Uiagalelei, a quarterback from St. John Bosco, who now plays at Florida State University.
The Stars academy, which provides sports performance training for middle school athletes, is well known in Southern California athletic circles. Flores was a co-owner, trainer, and coach at the academy.
The academy at one point moved from Anaheim to the campus of Calvary Chapel High School in Santa Ana, which is where a former soccer player at the school said she was first attacked by Flores in January 2021. She was 14 at the time and in eighth grade.
The prosecution alleged that Flores used his position of trust to prey on young teenagers. They say that, in addition to the teen he is convicted of assaulting, at least two others have made similar allegations against him.
Flores denies any wrongdoing.
According to the Orange County Register, prosecutors say the assaults occurred in 2021, and included “inappropriate touching, kissing and digital penetration.” He is also alleged to have sexually assaulted a 22-year-old woman who worked for him during a party at a home in 2022.
The Stars academy severed ties with Flores in 2022, after he was initially charged.
After the verdict was announced, Flores was handcuffed and taken into custody.
City News Service contributed to this report.
Conclusion:
Justice was served in the case of Christopher Martin Flores, a former coach at the Stars Prep Academy, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a young woman. The verdict, reached after careful deliberation by the jury, highlights the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, particularly when they abuse positions of trust.
It is a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and diligence in protecting vulnerable individuals, especially young athletes who place their trust in coaches and mentors. The case also underscores the bravery of the survivors who came forward to seek justice, despite the challenges and stigma often associated with reporting such crimes.
As the legal process moves forward with sentencing scheduled for October, it is crucial to continue supporting survivors of sexual assault and working towards preventing future incidents through education, awareness, and stringent safeguards within athletic organizations.
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