Long Beach police have arrested a travel softball coach who allegedly sent lewd text messages to a teenage girl “with the intent of meeting with the victim to carry out the lewd acts,” officials said.
Forty-year-old Anthony Christopher Sota, of Anaheim, was arrested on Nov. 26 after an investigation that began in in October, according to a news release issued Wednesday by the Long Beach Police Department.
Sota has also used the last name DeLaSota, authorities said. He is not affiliated with any school athletic programs.
“As part of the investigation, detectives conducted numerous interviews,” including one with the 14-year-old alleged victim, the news release said. “Based on the level of contact between Sota and young girls,” police believe that additional victims may exist.
Sota was booked on two felony charges of contacting a minor with the intent to commit lewd acts and sending harmful matter to a minor. He was released on bail pending a future court appearance.
Authorities asked anyone who has been the victim of an unreported crime involving Sota to contact Long Beach Police Sex Crimes Detective Sean Irving at (562) 570-7368. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 800-222-8477, texting TIPLA and the tip to 274637, or visiting lacrimestoppers.org