Hojreh was found guilty of committing 22 felony acts against nine victims, whose ages ranged from 14 to 17 during the attacks. He was found guilty of sexual battery, sexual penetration, and lewd acts on a minor. Hojreh was also found guilty of a charge of simple assault against a tenth victim.
Hojreh ran the International Water Polo Club in Los Alamitos and was a teacher at Kennedy High School at the time of his arrest. He has also taught at University High School. And, while he denies the allegations, multiple women came forward with stories of abuse involving Hojreh that included underwater touching and digital penetration.
In addition to potential criminal charges, USA Water Polo has agreed to a multi-million dollar settlement with the victims. There are also pending civil suits against Hojreh, accusing him of sexually abusing students at both Kennedy and University High Schools.
Sexual Abuse and Youth Sports
This is the second high-profile case involving sexual abuse during youth sports training in the past few months, issuing another call to parents to pay attention to how their child is trained. Many of Hojreh’s accusers claim he told them his sexual abuses were necessary to toughen them up for elite competition – a lie many of them continued to believe as they sought to advance their sports ambitions. Tragically, this kind of manipulation is common in childhood sexual abuse cases involving coaches and other trusted adults. Talking to your child about their experiences is the best way to be aware of abuse as soon as it occurs.
If you suspect your child has been sexually abused by a coach or anyone else, it is essential to speak to an attorney about your rights. A criminal conviction might bring one type of justice, but victims of sexual abuse also deserve compensatory damages. We are here to review your case, free of charge and obligation, to help you understand your rights and options.
Call our Los Angeles child sex abuse lawyers at 949-502-8600 to schedule a free and confidential case review today. Compassionate, thoughtful, and experienced, our attorneys are here to help you seek the justice you are due.
