A Simi Valley High School basketball coach has been arrested and charged with sexually abusing two underage girls, authorities announced this week.
Jabari DeShields, 36, faces five felony counts of lewd acts upon a minor under 14, according to the Simi Valley Police Department. Investigators say the case began after a mandated reporter notified authorities about the alleged misconduct last month.
Police said DeShields met the victims at a local business unrelated to his coaching duties with the Simi Valley Unified School District (SVUSD). As an assistant walk-on basketball coach, DeShields had no classroom responsibilities within the district. One of the alleged victims is an SVUSD student but did not attend the same school where he coached.
DeShields was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail with bail set at $120,000. The Simi Valley Police Major Crimes Unit led the investigation and has not found evidence of additional victims at this time.
The Simi Valley Unified School District confirmed that DeShields has been placed on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. “As a walk-on coach, his role was limited to the basketball court and did not include classroom instruction,” the district said in a statement.
Police urge anyone with information to contact Detective Kellyn King at (805) 583-6913.
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