High School Coach Arrested For Sexually Assaulting Teen Off-Campus: Long Beach Police

LONG BEACH, CA — A Cabrillo High School employee has been arrested after sexually assaulting a teenage girl off-campus, according to the Long Beach Police Department.

Police say a staff member from Cabrillo High School reported on July 1 that the teen had been sexually assaulted by 34-year-old Long Beach resident Gabriel Vigil off-campus. Vigil, according to authorities, worked at the school as a substitute groundskeeper and was a walk-on coach for the baseball team.

Detectives immediately launched an investigation into the accusation against Vigil and gathered enough evidence to arrest him, according to police.

Vigil was taken into custody Thursday morning at his Long Beach home on suspicion of statutory rape, arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes, and contacting a minor to commit a felony, the LBPD announced Friday. His bail was set at $100,000, police said.

Vigil is no longer employed by the Long Beach Unified School District, according to a district spokesperson.

"Any matter that raises safety concerns is investigated promptly and thoroughly, upon being reported, in accordance with district protocols," an LBUSD spokesperson told Patch via email. "We remain committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment for all students and staff."

The LBPD, meanwhile, believes there may be more unreported incidents and asks that any possible victims contact detectives at 562-570-7321. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can submit tips through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 TIPS" app to your smartphone (available at the Apple App Store and Google Play), or visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.