The Los Angeles space soccer coach charged with the homicide of a 13-year-old participant whose physique was present in a ditch greater than 70 miles from his house is reportedly an unlawful migrant from El Salvador — who can be accused of sexually assaulting one other teen boy.
Mario Edgardo Garcia Aquino, 43, was residing in the US illegally when he allegedly killed teen Oscar Omar Hernandez, “multiple law enforcement sources” advised Invoice Melugin of Fox Information.
Hernandez “was an innocent child who was exploited and killed by this depraved illegal alien who should have never been in this country,” Division of Homeland Safety spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin advised the outlet.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Noem’s leadership, child predators, pedophiles, and murderers will be hunted down and removed from America’s communities.”
The LA County Sheriff’s Workplace, District Lawyer’s Workplace and Los Angeles Police Division haven’t formally confirmed Garcia Aquino’s immigration standing, however unidentified sources additionally advised the Los Angeles Instances that the accused killer is within the nation illegally.
Garcia Aquino was arrested by LAPD on April 2 on an unrelated warrant for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy in Palmdale on Feb. 22, 2024, LA District Lawyer Nathan Hochman introduced Monday.
Hernandez had been lacking for 4 days when investigators discovered his physique in Ventura County — greater than 70 miles from his household’s Lancaster dwelling, police stated.
The boy’s grieving household pointed the finger at Garcia Aquino, whom they trusted and stated was with him the day Hernandez vanished.
The teenager’s explanation for loss of life stays unknown, however Garcia Aquino was charged with one rely of homicide with the particular circumstance allegation of homicide through the fee or tried fee of lewd acts with a baby.
Police in California are looking for further victims whom Garcia Aquino might have sexually assaulted after he was formally charged with Hernandez’s loss of life.
In a Monday press convention, Hochman gave a timeline of the harrowing seek for the teenager.
On March 28, the 13-year-old went to see Garcia Aquino and boarded a Metrolink prepare to Palmdale to assist the soccer coach at a posh.
Nonetheless, when the teenager didn’t return dwelling that night, his household started searching for him.
Whereas looking for their cherished one, Garcia Aquino had allegedly picked up Hernandez’s telephone the day he was reported lacking when his brother, Jose, tried to name and advised him the teenager was unavailable.
Later, the coach allegedly advised Hernandez’s father that he had dropped the boy off “near” the household’s dwelling — prompting them to contact police on March 30 and report him lacking.
Investigators discovered the 13-year-old’s physique in a wooded space of Ventura County two days later.
Within the wake of the homicide and the sexual assault cost from 2024, police are actually urging some other potential victims whom Garcia Aquino might have focused to step ahead.
“There’s always a fear that there are more victims and we want to make sure we account for everybody out there,” LA County Sheriff Robert Luna stated Monday.
“For some reason, anybody fears coming forward, even as a youth or a family, because you may be here undocumented, we’re not going to ask about that. Please, you need to come forward. We will assist you.”
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell additionally assured some other victims that any stories dropped at them can be handled “as sensitively as it needs to be treated.”
Victims or anybody with info is requested to contact the Los Angeles Police Division at (818) 374-5415 or the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division at (877) 710-5273.
