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Uploaded: Saturday, February 28, 2009, 6:29 PM
Updated: Monday, March 2, 2009, 10:44 AM
Local soccer coach for at-risk youth arrested on charges of molestation
Police have terminated relationship with Pedro Carbajal, co-founder of Amigos League
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by Casey Weiss
Mountain View Voice Staff
Photo
 | Mountain View police arrested a local community leader and coach -- one who helped run a police soccer camp for at-risk boys -- this week on charges of child molestation for crimes he allegedly committed against female family members.
Pedro Carbajal, 33, is charged with three counts of lewd and lascivious acts with children under age 14 and one count of aggravated sexual abuse of a child. Police took Carbajal into custody on Friday, Feb. 27, after receiving a tip earlier this month from a confidante of one of the victims. They arrested him without incident at Cooley Godward Kronish LLP law firm in Palo Alto, where Carbajal works as a chef.
Police say Carbajal committed the crimes five to 10 years ago against three female extended family members, ranging in age from 7 to 9. He does not face allegations of misconduct against his players, all boys, and police spokesperson Liz Wylie said they are "not looking for victims" on his teams.
"It usually stops when they [the victims become too old for [molesters' preferences," Wylie said. She added that it's extremely rare to find sexual predators who prey on both genders.
Carbajal started the Amigos League in 2006 for at-risk boys in hopes of keeping them away from gangs, and ran the soccer teams for up to 70 youths after school at Rengstorff Park, a Surenos stomping ground. The Police Activities League sponsored the team to go to the Central Valley for a tournament last year with police Chief Scott Vermeer, following a Voice story about Carbajal and his players.
"Everyone is obviously upset, but we are also cops and nothing surprises us," Wylie said. "We all look at the case with cop eyes. The protection of children takes priority."
Police say Carbajal passed a standard background check before coaching with the department. They have terminated him as a volunteer and are now working to notify all the players' parents. Counselors will also offer services to the team members and reach out to Carbajal's wife and five children next week, Wylie said.
Carbajal was active in the Mountain View Whisman School District, volunteering in committees for Latino parents.
Wylie says the crimes occurred in Mountain View, and involved three different girls throughout a span of five years. Police are still trying to figure out the exact location and details, which Wylie said is difficult since the victims were young when it happened. Police say they do not think the acts are still continuing.Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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| Comments
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Posted by MM, a resident of the Monta Loma neighborhood, on Feb 28, 2009 at 8:22 pm Does anyone know what sex his children are?
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Posted by MM, a resident of the Monta Loma neighborhood, on Mar 1, 2009 at 8:47 am I am concerned for his children. I hope the police rule out the possibly of him molesting his own children.
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Posted by Wondering, a resident of the North Whisman neighborhood, on Mar 1, 2009 at 6:17 pm "Police say they do not think the acts are still continuing." You have to wonder if there is more too it with one or more of his soccer players.
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Posted by OP, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Mar 1, 2009 at 8:20 pm We are not Kern County so withhold judgement until the investigation is complete. Then, if Carbajal is found guilty, throw the book at him. But, if there turns out to be nothing to the story (as was the case in the numerous Kern County accusations), Carbajal will have suffered unnecessarily and will probably never get his life back to where it was.
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Posted by curious, a resident of another community, on Mar 1, 2009 at 8:55 pm sorry, what's the Kern County reference? I don't know about it.
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Posted by JJacksov, a resident of the Waverly Park neighborhood, on Mar 2, 2009 at 9:12 am To OP
That will happen
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Posted by Casey Weiss, Mountain View Voice Staff Writer, on Mar 2, 2009 at 11:14 am
Casey Weiss is a member (registered user) of Mountain View Online The victims of the crime were all extended family members, and not Carbajal's own children, according to the police.
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Posted by Also Curious, a resident of the Whisman Station neighborhood, on Mar 2, 2009 at 12:22 pm As I understand it, it is also very rare for sexual predators to stop attempting to find victims.
I know for a fact that Pedro had the opportunity to coach a young girls' soccer team in his club about a year ago. There were enough young girls to form a team of females under 10 years old. He refused to coach the girls because of issues that might arise with him or any other male coach. He attempted to recruit a female coach but that never worked out and the team was not created.
We're talking about extended family here. Maybe he is guilty, maybe he is not. I don't know. But these charges could end up being completely false.
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Posted by Ashamed, a resident of another community, on Mar 2, 2009 at 4:03 pm Shame on the Mountain View Police Department for terminating their "relationship" with Pedro. He is ACCUSED. What the hell happened to "Innocent until Proven Guilty" I'm sickened by this. Pedro is in JAIL right now, unable to do anything. Certainly unable to volunteer his time with the police department.
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Posted by wow, a resident of the Cuesta Park neighborhood, on Mar 4, 2009 at 3:17 pm i think we should free him!!!
i noe him and he has never done anything bad
this happened along time
and he can't be proven guilty
so i think he should get back to his children and wife
if he did do it, then why didnt the victims speak sooner they have mouths and could talk.
plus u never noe if the victims could be playin a joke on him
so no proof
then he cant be accused
free him!!!
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Posted by altair, a resident of another community, on Mar 9, 2009 at 11:34 am to MM, Carbajal has 4 sons, them being the oldest, and 1 little girl with her being the youngest out of his 5 children.
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Posted by Recommendation, a resident of another community, on Mar 10, 2009 at 4:06 pm I ask people to speak out if they know anything directly related to this case or the girls making the allegations. It would be a shame innocent man to go to jail if he isn't properly represented.
Also, write to a lawyer and ask them to represent him pro-bono.
Lastly and most importantly, write and/or go to local and national media and write to them about this story. With public attention the city/county will be forced to investigate this further, rather than the half-ass job they have been doing.
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Posted by resident, a resident of another community, on May 20, 2009 at 6:13 pm I feel really bad for Pedro
s family especially his children everyone including me knew him i feel he was a great dad always with his kids. Hope his is not guilty and he can come out to be with his family. Best wishes fro the family.
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Posted by Ara, a resident of the The Crossings neighborhood, on May 21, 2009 at 5:10 pm I know pedro and he used to work with my mom. The mother of the children who are accusing pedro of these molestation acts worked with him as well. Pedros wife is her sister. The mother of the children is a very malicious person and has constantly harrassed others at the job. I dont see why she wouldnt do the same to pedro. I know he wouldnt touch anybody and I know his children theyre wonderful. The mother would make sexual comments at work. I KNOW THESE AS FACTS! I also have previous knowledge that one of the girls accusing him was previously raped by her step-father, she told me herself and yet she pursued no action. I would love to talk to pedros lawyer about everything that i know because I used to be close to these people before the allegations, but I have seen this family try to ruin so many peoples lives and I dont think its fair if there is someone I can talk to please email me at babbieface142002@yahoo.com
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