Coach Charged with Murder: Did D.A. Delay Charges On Prior Incidents?

Nearly a year before Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino was charged with the murder of 13-year-old Oscar Omar Hernandez, Los Angeles County prosecutors were aware of another teen’s accusation against the soccer coach for sexual abuse. However, it took 10 months for the district attorney’s office to formally charge Garcia-Aquino with sexual assault and intent to rape, and a warrant for his arrest was not sought until three days before Hernandez was found dead.

According to the LA Times:

“…some have questioned the reason for the filing delay and wondered whether earlier action would have ended Garcia-Aquino’s contact with young soccer players like Hernandez, whom friends and family called “Omar.”

“I am stunned it took so long to file these charges. They could have saved this boy’s life,” said Michael Carrillo, an attorney for the dead boy’s family. “Somebody needs to be held accountable here for keeping this man on the streets and it led to this boy’s killing. … Someone needs to come to the family and explain how this could be allowed to happen.”

When asked for an explanation several weeks ago, Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman told reporters that criminal charges “don’t happen overnight” and that the case had to be thoroughly investigated.”

Hernandez’s body was discovered in a roadside ditch in Oxnard, California, after he was reported missing on March 28. The teen had boarded a train to Lancaster to visit Garcia-Aquino and was never heard from again. According to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, Garcia-Aquino is accused of killing Hernandez during a lewd act.

The complaint against Garcia-Aquino was amended to include charges from a 2022 incident where he allegedly sexually assaulted a teenager at his home in Sylmar. He also faces charges for allegedly assaulting a 16-year-old boy in Palmdale in February 2024. If convicted, Garcia-Aquino could face the death penalty or life in prison without parole.

The Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the case, urging any additional victims to come forward. Garcia-Aquino, who is undocumented, appeared in court, but his arraignment was postponed to April 30.