A 43-year-old youth soccer coach has been charged with the murder of 13-year-old Oscar Omar Hernandez, whose body was found along a roadside days after he was reported missing.
Disappearance and Discovery
The teen was last seen traveling by train to visit the coach in Lancaster. After being reported missing on March 30, authorities launched a search. His body was later discovered in Ventura County, triggering an intensive investigation.
Allegations and Charges
The coach, Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino, is accused of killing the boy during or after an attempted lewd act. These charges make him eligible for the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In addition to the murder charges, Garcia-Aquino faces separate allegations involving the sexual assault of a 16-year-old boy in a prior incident.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are continuing their investigation and believe there may be additional victims. They are urging anyone with information to come forward, assuring that immigration status will not be a barrier for those willing to help in the case.
