Another week, another story of an adult deciding to put his or her pervy hands on an underage child.
Todd Sousa was in the middle of a swim practice at JSerra High on Thursday evening when authorities walked onto the pool deck and placed him under arrest. The 36-year-old swim coach and instructor is facing charges of child molestation after allegedly carrying on a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl who was one of his students.
At the time of his arrest, Sousa was on staff as a coach with the Irvine Aquazot Swim Club. At the time of this story, Sousa was no longer listed on the Aquazot coach page. Sousa was previously the coach of the boys' swim team at Woodbridge High.
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In an interview with ABC-7, Jim Amormino of the OC Sheriff's Department said the mother of the young girl came to authorities after she found out that her daughter was “involved” with Sousa. Sousa is expected to face multiple charges, including child molestation.
Sousa has been coaching since 1994, which has authorities worried there may be other victims. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the OCSD. USA Swimming is also investigating the charges against Sousa, according to The Orange County Register.
Along with coaching swimming, Sousa owns a swim school called Swim Venture with his wife. The program functions out of various indoor and outdoor pools throughout South Orange County.
According to his bio on the board member page of JackRabbit Swim, a “web-based swim school,” Sousa was twice named to the Who's Who of American Teachers and has also been recognized by the United States Swim School Association for his teaching. Next to the bio, Sousa is pictured with his wife and two young daughters.
