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A volleyball coach is no longer working at the school after he allegedly admitted to sexually assaulting students at YES Prep, located at 6565 De Moss Dr, Houston, TX 77074. According to ABC 13, Osvaldo Flores, a 23-year-old former coach, is facing serious charges, including two counts of sexual assault of a child, one charge of improper relationship with a student, and another charge of sexual performance by a child. As of Friday, June 14, 2024, he is being held on a total bond of $315,000.
The bond conditions for Flores include staying 1,000 feet away from where children gather and having no contact with anyone 17 years old or younger.
Charging documents reveal that the sexual assault allegations involve separate incidents with two teenage students who attended the Southwest Secondary School, where Flores was a volleyball coach. The victims were 15 and 17 years old at the time of the alleged assaults.
According to the charging documents, the 15-year-old's mother reported the original incident in October 2023 after realizing her daughter had left in the middle of the night. The girl's parents were able to track her phone, which led them to find her in Flores' backseat, initiating a police investigation and leading to the discovery of a second victim, a 17-year-old.
The 15-year-old told her school principal that Flores had texted her, saying, "I know this is wrong, but you're really pretty," after she posted a picture of herself on Instagram. The student said Flores was aware of her age because he had attended her 15th birthday party earlier in the year.
In the 17-year-old's outcry to the school principal, she said she repeatedly told Flores "no" during forceful incidents, records show. Flores allegedly followed the 17-year-old into a storage closet at the campus more than once and "touching, fondling and groping" her, particularly at the beginning of the volleyball season when she would stay late after the games or practice.
When investigators and school faculty confronted Flores, he reportedly admitted to the sexual assaults in the school gym, according to court records. However, he claimed that he knew the student was a senior and assumed that all seniors were either 18 or 19 years old.
The charter school, YES Prep, stated that Flores was a seasonal employee from August 2022 to December 2022 and again in August 2023 until his employment ended in October 2023. The school said it immediately placed Flores on leave and subsequently ended his employment after conducting a thorough investigation.
YES Prep expressed its commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all students and stated that it takes quick and strict action when this commitment is compromised.
In the wake of the disturbing allegations against a former YES Prep volleyball coach, we sat down with Anjali Nigam, an experienced Texas sex abuse lawyer, to discuss the legal rights and accountability measures available to the victims sexually abused by a prep school coach. Nigam provides a comprehensive overview of the criminal and civil avenues the survivors may be able to explore, emphasizing the crucial role schools play in protecting students and the consequences they can face for failing to do so.
Editor Darla Medina (DM): Anjali, what are the key legal rights that the victims in this case may be able to exercise?
Attorney Anjali Nigam (AN): In cases like this, where a teacher or coach is accused of sexually assaulting students, the victims have several important legal rights. First and foremost, they have the right to seek criminal charges against the perpetrator. Beyond that, the victims may also have grounds to pursue civil claims not just against the individual, but also against the school district or charter school system. Educational institutions have a duty to protect students in their care, and if they fail to properly screen, train or supervise employees, they can be held liable for any resulting abuse.
DM: That's a crucial point. What are some ways the victims could potentially hold the school accountable in a civil lawsuit?
AN: There are a few key ways. The victims could allege that the school was negligent in hiring or retaining the coach, despite knowing or having reason to suspect inappropriate conduct. They may also argue the school failed to have adequate policies and procedures in place to prevent and respond to sexual abuse allegations. And if the school did not swiftly report the incidents to the proper authorities, that could also factor into a civil case.
Ultimately, the goal would be to not only seek justice and compensation for the victims, but to also send a strong message that schools must prioritize student safety and be held accountable when they fall short.
DM: That's an important perspective. Thank you, Anjali, for providing this valuable insight on the legal options and accountability measures available to the victims in this case.
AN: You're welcome, Darla. These types of cases are always deeply troubling, but it's critical that survivors know their rights and that schools are compelled to make meaningful changes to protect their students.
For victims and their families navigating the legal system after such a traumatic experience, it's important to know that you have options and support available. Our team of school abuse lawyers is committed to fighting for the rights of sexual abuse survivors and holding negligent institutions accountable. If you or a loved one has been impacted by sexual abuse at a school or by an educator, we encourage you to reach out for a free, confidential consultation to understand your legal rights and the path forward. No one should have to face this alone.
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