Vista High School Coach Accused of Sexual Relations with Student

Vista, CA — A basketball coach at Vista High School in Vista was arrested this week on suspicion of having sexual relations with a student.

Charlie Mercado, 36, surrendered Wednesday to detectives with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department's Child Abuse Unit, Lt. Dan Brislin said in a news release.

The allegations came to light May 11 when the victim, a female 11th-grader at the school, revealed to campus administrators that she was involved in an inappropriate relationship with Mercado, according to the lieutenant.

"Administration notified the Sheriff's Department and an investigation was initiated," Brislin said. "During the investigation, detectives discovered that Mercado fostered an intimate relationship with the victim, and on one occasion met with her off campus where they engaged in inappropriate physical contact."

A misdemeanor arrest warrant for annoying or molesting a child under 18 years old was issued Wednesday for Mercado, prompting him to turn himself in, Brislin said.

Mercado was booked into the Vista Detention Facility Wednesday night, but was released by posting $10,000 bail.

He is due in court Aug. 25.

The Vista Unified School District could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.

City News Service reported that Mercado had been employed at the North County school since August 2005, but was fired shortly after the allegations against him came to light, according to Kyle Ruggles, director of human relations for Vista Unified School District.

The Sheriff's Department also reported Thursday that a former campus security supervisor and track-and-field coach at Santana High School in Santee was arrested on suspicion of having a sexual relationship with a female student.