Former Assistant Basketball Coach Arrested On Molestation Charges
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DORAL(CBSMiami) -- Miami-Dade Police and a family member say they are alarmed by allegations about a former assistant basketball coach at Hialeah Gardens High School, who's accused of molesting three students.
Police worry there may be other victims and one of their relatives says the former coach traumatized the students.
"He has abused all of those children," said the family member who did not to reveal her identity but who said she wanted to speak out about 33-year-old Javier Alejandro Cuenca who's charged with 2 counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and 2 counts of lewd and lascivious conduct and contributing to the delinquency of a minor by providing a controlled substance.
That family member told CBS4's Peter D'Oench, "He touched them. They had to show their parts. He would go in the bathroom and see them while they were taking a shower and sometimes he would go in the room with them. They've taken their time in answering this case."
CLICK HERE To Watch Peter D'Oench's Report
The reports show a dark side to Cuenca, who coached basketball players for two years and spoke about coaching in one of the videos from the school.
In that tape, he said, "This is of great benefit to the kids in learning the game of basketball and having fun with it."
According to the arrest reports, Cuenca is accused of fondling one student's genitalia on various occasions between 2002 and 2014 and administering Anavar to him, a steroid without a prescription.
Two other students who were 15 at the time described two incidents that happened to them. One student said Cuenca asked to see his genitalia and when he tried to touch him, the student slapped him away. That incident reportedly happened inside a classroom at the high school in November of 2012.
Another student described a similar incident from February of 2013.
Miami-Dade Police detective Robin Pinkard said her department is handling two of the three cases.
"The subject attempted in one case to fondle the victim's genitalia," she said. "He was stopped by the victim. In the 2nd case the subject touched and molested the victim."
Students at the high school said they were stunned.
"I was honestly shocked," said Alejandra Jardin. "He lead the basketball team to states. I thought he was a really good coach who had really good relationships with students.
Student Jay Osorio said, "I was shocked. I thought he was a good guy. A long time ago he said I'd never get in trouble or mess around with students, especially students."
Another student, Bianca Banegas, said, "When I found out I couldn't believe it. I'm glad that some students said something because it might have kept on and on and on."
Detective Pinkard wonders if other people know about other victims.
"We urge them to contact us with information even if they weren't a victim," she said. "If they have additional information on this case they should go ahead and give us a call. We are alarmed because he was always around children."
Pinkard also said, "We always want parents to speak to their children and let their children know that it is ok to come to them and tell them if anything like this is happening to them."
A spokesperson for Miami-Dade Schools released a statement Monday afternoon:
"The employee was terminated by the school district in 2013 when the original allegation was made. Miami-Dade Schools Police immediately launched an investigation into the alleged misconduct; however, initially, there was insufficient evidence to further a criminal case. Information recently supplied by county police helped close the investigation."
School officials stood by the date in 2013 that Cuenca was removed from the position, despite police reports listing dates incidents took place that were after the removal date.
CBS4 News asked about the discrepancy, but both agencies stood by the dates provided.
Anyone who has information about other victims should call Miami-Dade Police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).
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