Former officer, coach accused of molestation

By WIRE SERVICES

Story Created: Mar 4, 2010 at 11:48 AM PST

Story Updated: Mar 4, 2010 at 11:48 AM PST

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WHITTIER — A Pop Warner football coach and former Whittier police officer was charged Tuesday with sexually molesting two 10-year-old boys who played on his team.

Paul Anthony Ayala, 42, pleaded not guilty in Whittier Superior Court to eight felony counts of sexual molestation of a child under 14 and one felony count of oral copulation of a child 10 or younger.

He was ordered to remain jailed on $8.25 million bail pending his next court appearance March 24, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to require him to proceed to trial.

One of the boys was allegedly molested in 2008 and the other in 2009, according to Deputy District Attorney Frank Dunnick.

Police were notified last week, when one of the boys talked with a family member, authorities said.

Ayala was arrested last Friday by investigators from the Norwalk Sheriff’s Station.

He was a police officer for 17 years with the Whittier Police Department before an injury forced him to retire in 2007.

The boys he is accused of molesting played in the La Mirada Pop Warner League.

If convicted as charged, he faces multiple life terms, according to the district attorney’s office.

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