Ventura Coach Arrested on Suspicion of Sex With Minor
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Ventura High football Coach Harvey Kochel on Wednesday was arrested on suspicion of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old female.
Kochel, 48, turned himself in to Ventura Police Dept. detectives Wednesday morning, two days after police began an investigation. The acts are alleged to have taken place between March and September, police said.
Kochel was released from Ventura County Jail on Wednesday afternoon on his own recognizance, police said. Arraignment was set for Oct. 7.
Kochel, who has coached the Cougars for 13 seasons, began an administrative leave from the Ventura Unified School District on Tuesday.
The Ventura police department was scheduled to present the case to the Sexual Assault Unit office, said Lela Henke-Dobroth, Supervising Deputy District Attorney for the Sexual Assault Unit.
Police did not reveal any other information about the allegations. The student was not identified. Kochel has been an employee of the district since 1973. Assistant coach Phil McCune, 51, was named interim coach of the team, which is 3-0 heading into Friday’s game against San Marcos.
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