SALINAS – Local baseball and softball coach Richard Douglas Aldrete is facing charges of allegedly sexually assaulting a minor when he was her coach, according to the Salinas Police Department.
In October 2022, Salinas Police received a report from a now 21-year-old adult, accusing Aldrete, 58, of engaging in sexual contact with her when she was a minor, Salinas Police Cmdr. John Murray wrote in an emailed statement.
A Salinas Police investigation alleged that Aldrete began assaulting the victim when she was under 18. Police said Aldrete was coaching the victim at the time.
Aldrete appears to be the same man who coached CSU Monterey Bay’s baseball team from 2006-2010 and had been a star player at Monterey High, although the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, Salinas Police and CSU Monterey Bay were unable to confirm.
After their investigation, Salinas Police forwarded this case to the DA’s Office. Aldrete was charged with two counts of felony sexual penetration with a foreign object with a person under 18.
Aldrete was arraigned in a Salinas courtroom Tuesday, according to court records. He pleaded not guilty.
This is an ongoing investigation. Salinas Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Scaggs at (831) 758-7927 or the department’s anonymous tip line at (831) 775-4222.
Source: www.mercurynews.com