Coach Charged With Having Sex With Boy

HARBOR CITY — The girls’ cheerleading coach at Narbonne High School has been charged with having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old boy, authorities said.

David Marquez Jr., 25, of Harbor City, was charged last week with one felony count of lewd conduct with a child. If convicted, he faces up to eight years in prison and must register as a sex offender, sheriff’s Det. Diane Holloway said.

He was released Friday on $50,000 bail. His arraignment has not been scheduled, Holloway said.

The incident allegedly took place last August at Marquez’s former residence in Carson. It came to light earlier this month after a Narbonne High campus security officer heard rumors about it. The campus guard told sheriff’s investigators about Marquez and the boy, who is not a Narbonne student, and Holloway began an investigation.

Holloway said Marquez became acquainted with the boy through outside cheerleading activities not associated with the school.

Narbonne Principal Patrick Donahoe said Marquez has lost his job, but could be rehired if he is found not guilty.

“He was a very good coach,” Donahoe said of Marquez, who worked at Narbonne for three years.