LONG BEACH, CA, (August 05, 2025) - Investigators with the Long Beach Police Department have arrested and charged a high school baseball coach with multiple felony sex crimes involving a female student, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Investigators with the Long Beach Police Department have arrested and charged Gabriel Vigil with multiple felony sex crimes involving a student at Cabrillo High School.
Gabriel Vigil, 35, faces several felony charges, including engaging in sexual conduct with a minor under 18, soliciting a minor for sexual purposes, and showing pornographic material to a minor. Prosecutors have also filed two additional felony counts alleging he arranged meetings with a minor for lewd conduct.
Vigil worked as a substitute employee and coached baseball at Cabrillo High School when the alleged incidents took place between May 1 and July 1, 2025. Authorities said police took him into custody at his residence near Pacific Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway.
The arrest came after school personnel reported suspected abuse that allegedly occurred off-campus, including multiple occasions at Vigil’s apartment. Law enforcement and prosecutors emphasized that these charges may not represent isolated incidents and encouraged any additional victims to come forward.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains in custody on $250,000 bail, according to the district attorney’s office.
The investigation is ongoing, and detectives with the Long Beach Police Department’s Sex Crimes Division continue to request that any further victims contact authorities.
BROKEN TRUST
Coaches in school sports programs serve as key figures in student development, providing both athletic instruction and personal guidance. These positions carry the responsibility of upholding ethical standards that safeguard young athletes' welfare and growth. When coaches are sexual abusers, they commit a severe violation of trust that creates enduring harm.
Sexual abuse encompasses any improper behavior between a coach and an athlete under their authority. Coaches frequently work with students in situations where athletes are particularly vulnerable, making misconduct both a betrayal and often a crime.
"These allegations of sexual abuse are a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities young athletes face. As legal professionals, our focus is on providing guidance and support to survivors while advocating for systemic changes that prioritize child safety," said Rebecca Setlow of Fidelity Legal.
Abuse victims commonly suffer significant psychological trauma. Many battle feelings of confusion, guilt, and shame, while others develop anxiety, depression or challenges in building trusting relationships. Survivors frequently endure long-lasting impacts, including sexual dysfunction or heightened suicide risk. Healing demands compassionate support and meaningful acknowledgment.
UNREPORTED CRIMES
Despite the seriousness of abuse cases, the rate of reporting remains alarmingly low. Victims may fear retaliation, worry their claims will be dismissed, or may not fully realize the extent of the harm until years afterward. The power imbalance between coaches and athletes makes it especially difficult to come forward, leaving many victims to suffer in silence.
"Perpetrators often depend on silence and shame to keep victims from speaking out — but breaking that silence can lead to exposing many other victims," Setlow explained. "When one person reports abuse, it frequently empowers others to share their stories, revealing years, sometimes decades, of repeated misconduct."
An attorney can help secure financial compensation to support victims in rebuilding their lives.
Professional relationships rely on trust, and when that trust is broken, there must be consequences. Setlow emphasized, "One voice can break a silence that has lasted for years."
If you or a loved one has been involved in an incident similar to the one described in this article, national legal analyst Rebecca Setlow is available for a free consultation. Please use the contact information on this page to get in touch.
(Rebecca Setlow, General Counsel at Fidelity Legal, is a national legal analyst for The Legal Advocate. The Legal Advocate can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Ms. Rebecca Setlow to help you, please call 866-805-9260 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).