Hearing Set for Coach in Sex Case

A preliminary hearing has been set for a Moorpark High School wrestling coach accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student.

Andrew Paul Fonseca, 23, is scheduled to appear in court again April 2, when he could change his not guilty plea, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Tamara Bogosian.

If not, a preliminary hearing will begin April 15.

Fonseca remained in jail Friday in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Meanwhile, another high school wrestling coach accused of having sex with students pleaded not guilty Friday to the charges.

Newbury Park High School coach Jeffrey S. Magruder faces five charges--including unlawful intercourse with a minor and using alcohol to commit rape--involving three teenage girls at Thousand Oaks High School.

He has posted $100,000 bail and was released from Ventura County Jail. Bogosian said additional charges may be filed as investigators conduct more interviews.

Magruder, who previously coached at Thousand Oaks High School, has been head wrestling coach at Newbury Park High School for the past two years. He was arrested on March 8 after Ventura County sheriff’s investigators received a tip from a school employee.

His arrest was the latest in a string of recent sexual allegations by students against Ventura County teachers or coaches.

Last month, Camarillo High School science teacher Chad Wenzlick Pridgen, 30, was charged with 33 felony and misdemeanor counts for allegedly trying to seduce and have sexual relations with nine male students. He is to appear in court Thursday to set a preliminary hearing date, prosecutors said.