2nd person accuses Atwater coach of child molestation

Woman says she was abused as a teenager

By VICTOR A. PATTON
MERCED SUN-STAR

last updated: May 26, 2008 03:01:09 AM

A woman has come forward with allegations against an Atwater youth coach, who already faces felony child molestation charges.

Merced County District Attorney Larry Morse II said the woman was 15 or 16 years old when the alleged abuse happened.

Henry Esparza Jr., 41, was arrested by Atwater police April 25 after his wife told investigators he'd been molesting a 14-year-old girl for several years. Esparza has pleaded not guilty to several felony molestation charges in Merced County Superior Court.

Morse said his office has reviewed an Atwater police report regarding the woman. That report will be forwarded this week to the Stanislaus County district attorney's office to determine whether additional charges will be filed.

The Stanislaus County district attorney's office is handling the case at Morse's request because Esparza is the brother-in-law of Merced County Superior Court Judge Marc Garcia.

Morse said this month that the relationship between Garcia and Esparza presented a conflict that would prevent his office from handling the case.

Esparza was living at Garcia's home when he was arrested, according to a report from Atwater police.

Kirk McAllister, Esparza's Modesto-based attorney, did not return a call to his office Friday.

A preliminary hearing, in which a judge will determine whether there is enough evidence for a trial, is scheduled for July 14.

A year ago, Esparza was coaching a boys basketball team for Atwater's recreation youth program. He also coached a traveling fast-pitch softball team and regularly rented playing fields from the city, serving in a variety of coaching capacities.

Esparza, who lists his employment as a divisional sales manager, remains at the John Latorraca Correctional Facility on $870,000 bail.

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