The El Paso community has been rocked by a disturbing scandal involving a local cheer coach, Christopher Sotelo, who is accused of surreptitiously recording individuals in a gymnastics bathroom. KFOX-TV reports that the coach, who was affiliated with the Texas Bandits All-Stars, potentially targeted over 100 victims. Assistant District Attorney Cristina Viesca-Santos from the El Paso County DA's office has highlighted the alarming breadth of this violation of privacy.
The recordings, according to the El Paso Times, include a range of individuals from women to teenagers and even include a six-year-old child. Detectives from the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit are still investigating the matter. Sotelo was initially apprehended on August 30 after the hidden cameras were found, but was released the same day on a $30,000 surety bond.
Further details provided by KTSM shed light on the measures taken by the court in response to the ongoing case. Sotelo's bond was ultimately set at $60,000, and he was subjected to stringent conditions, including intensive supervision and a directive to stay at least 200 yards away from the location of the alleged crimes. Despite this, he was released from custody yesterday, Oct. 7.
"The prosecutor told the judge that detectives with the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit are still investigating the case," reported by KTSM. The statement highlights the ongoing efforts to understand the full extent of the crimes allegedly committed by Coach Sotelo. He faces five additional counts after being re-arrested on Oct. 2 and is currently out on bond after being released on the aforementioned date.
