By Elise Tran, Karen Phan & Lauren Nguyen
Marina High School (MHS) walk-on wrestling coach Kevin Rayford, 30, was arrested for allegedly engaging in unlawful sexual acts with an underage student on Friday, Feb. 28.
The Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) began investigating Rayford last week after being notified of allegations against him by MHS staff and district officials.
“Marina High School staff and school district officials acted swiftly in notifying us of the allegations against Rayford and are fully cooperating with the investigation,” authorities said in a statement on Facebook.
Rayford has been booked into the Huntington Beach City jail for suspicion of violating California penal code 261.5 (C), which finds “any person who engages in an act of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor who is more than three years younger than the perpetrator” guilty of a misdemeanor or felony.
“At this time, the investigation into this case is still ongoing and no further details will be released,” the statement said.
Authorities are asking for anyone with additional information to contact detective Sean McCollom at smccollom@hbpd.org. Anonymous tips may be given to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-347-6227.
This is at least the fourth known incident of sexual assault or impropriety at MHS over the years.
The HBPD arrested Gonzalo Castro, who volunteered on the track and field team and worked as a United States Marine Corps recruiter, in 2017. The San Clemente Times reported that a former MHS student told authorities she was 17 years old when Castro sexually assaulted her during off-campus training.
In 2006, former music teacher Victor Rodriguez was sentenced to one year in the Orange County Jail and four years’ probation for molestation that took place between February 2003 and December 2004. Former Orange County District Attorney Shaddi Kamiabipour told the Orange County Register that Rodriguez pretended to show four girls a “diaphragm technique” by putting his hands under their shirts.
MHS fired Brian Akian, a seven-year walk-on assistant water polo coach, for secretly videotaping students in the girls locker room in 2002.
“I’m obviously more wary, but it’s just going on [with] normal life, still. It’ll be an issue anywhere, not just at Marina,” said a MHS student who asked to remain anonymous.
This is a developing story. Baron Banner will give updates on the situation as we learn more.
