Modesto youth soccer coach arrested for alleged possession of child pornography

The Modesto Police Department arrested the coach of a youth soccer travel team Sept. 25 for alleged possession or control of child pornography. The arrest came after MPD’s high-tech crimes unit received tips through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about the suspect uploading child pornography.

Efrain Aguayo Jr., 32, was arrested at his Modesto home, where detectives discovered multiple electronic devices that were confiscated for forensic analysis.

The soccer team he coached has been notified of his arrest, according to the MPD, but no evidence points to the children of the program being involved. The investigation is ongoing.

The Ajax 2023-24 coach roster lists Aguayo as a coach with the program.

The arrest comes just two months after another Ajax youth soccer coach, Matthew Paez, was arrested on suspicion of possessing and distributing child pornography. According to the Bee’s previous coverage, “investigators had already uncovered more than 100 explicit videos involving children, with many more potentially still under review,” as of July 29. Paez is next due in court Oct. 2 for an early case management conference.

The Modesto Police Department was not immediately available for comment on the Aguayo arrest.