ALISO VIEJO, CA, (August 18, 2025) - The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Detail is investigating allegations of sexual misconduct involving a high school basketball coach.
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating high school basketball coach Michael Joseph Duran following allegations of sexual assault.
Michael Joseph Duran, 44, of Aliso Viejo, is accused of grooming a female student and engaging in a sexual relationship with her between 2024 and 2025. Authorities were alerted in August when a mandated reporter came forward.
At the time of the alleged incidents, Duran served as an assistant basketball coach at Dana Hills High School. Investigators said they interviewed the student and began an official inquiry into the claims.
The victim told deputies that Duran groomed her and engaged in sexual activity while holding his coaching position. Detectives later learned he was also involved with a club program, the SoCal Fins, in San Juan Capistrano.
Duran was arrested on Aug. 13 and booked into Orange County Jail on charges of oral copulation with a minor under 18. Because of his role coaching female minors, investigators believe there could be additional victims.
The Special Victims Detail is urging anyone with information—or anyone who may have been victimized—to come forward and contact investigators.
EXPOSING THE GROOMER
Athletic instructors in educational sports programs function as influential mentors for student growth, offering both technical training and character development. These roles demand adherence to professional conduct standards that protect young participants' safety and well-being. Sexual misconduct by coaches represents a profound breach of professional boundaries that causes lasting damage to victims.
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.
Sexual predators ofeten employ a calculated grooming process to exploit potential victims. They begin by building trust and establishing themselves as mentors or authority figures, often targeting vulnerable individuals who seek approval or guidance. Predators gradually normalize inappropriate behavior through boundary testing, starting with seemingly innocent physical contact or personal conversations that slowly escalate. They may isolate victims from support systems, create special relationships that feel exclusive, and use gifts or privileges to maintain control. This manipulation process makes victims feel complicit and confused about the inappropriate nature of the relationship, making it difficult for them to recognize abuse or seek help
"They blurred the lines on purpose — so you wouldn’t know when to say no.," 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.
"One voice can break a silence that has lasted for years," Setlow said.
SUPPORTING THE VICTIM
Despite the seriousness of these cases, abuse reporting rates remain low. Many victims fear retaliation, worry they won’t be believed, or may not fully recognize the harm until much later. The power imbalance between coaches and athletes makes speaking out even more difficult, causing many to remain silent.
Seeking justice can feel overwhelming, particularly in abuse cases. “The best attorneys understand the emotional toll and check in regularly to ensure survivors feel supported, not abandoned,” said Setlow. Victims should know they are never to blame and that they have legal remedies, including filing lawsuits or working with law enforcement.
“Survivors who step forward may be the first domino in uncovering broader abuse — predators rarely stop at one victim. Your story may give another survivor the courage to speak,” Setlow added. While no legal action can undo the trauma, it can provide financial compensation and resources to help rebuild lives.
Trust is the foundation of professional relationships, and when that trust is violated, accountability must follow. Setlow emphasized: “Survivors deserve more than silence — a strong attorney ensures their voice is heard where it matters most.”
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).