Crime & Safety

USA Swimming Bans O.C. Swim Coach Charged with Sex Crimes

Sousa was arrested Feb. 24 in San Juan Capistrano.

South Orange County swim coach Todd Sousa has been banned from USA Swimming as a result of charges he had sex with a 15-year-old student.

USA Swimming is the national governing body for the sport, which sets the rules and regulations for competitive swimming. In March 2010, the organization issued a statement saying the "banned lists" are part of its ongoing efforts to address sexual misconduct within the sport.

Sousa is one of three coaches added to the list when it was updated June 8. The list includes those who have received a lifetime ban, permanently resigned their membership, or been declared permanently ineligible for membership in USA Swimming.

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Sousa was in San Juan Capistrano on Feb. 24 while coaching for Aquazots.

Prosecutors allege that between April 1, 2010, and Feb. 18 of this year he sexually assaulted the girl in the Swim Ventures office—a company that he owned at the time with his wife and that has , Atlantis Aquatics—in an equipment closet and in his car.

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He has to 13 felony counts of lewd acts upon a child, three felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse, and two misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

A trial date will likely be set after his preliminary hearing Aug. 12.

His ban from USA Swimming was effective April 24. Specifically, he was found in violation of the organization's code of conduct, which says individuals cannot be members if they face any pending felony charges for a crime involving sexual misconduct or an offense against a minor.

He was also found to violate codes that outlaw sexual conduct or "inappropriate" sexually oriented behavior toward an athlete by a coach member or any other adult participating in any capacity in the activities of USA Swimming. 

Read more about the arrest of Todd Sousa:


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