South Bay Fencing Coach Arrested On Suspicion Of Molesting Minor

SUNNYVALE, CA — A South Bay fencing coach was arrested last week on suspicion of sexually molesting an underage female victim whom he coached.

Ra’ad Rabieh, 49, was charged with two counts of oral copulation with a minor. Rabieh, the owner of The International Fencing Academy on Mary Avenue in Sunnyvale, was accused of “grooming” the victim over the course of several years, traveling alone with her to fencing competitions and sexually molesting her when she turned 17 in his Sunnyvale apartment, according to Sunnyvale police.

Some incidents occurred during out-of-state fencing competitions, police added.

According to his profile on the academy’s website, Rabieh established the International Fencing Academy in Mesa in 2004 and joined the Sunnyvale branch in 2009. He was a member of the Jordan National Fencing Team for over seven years and began coaching in the United States in 1996.

Rabieh's attorney declined comment.

In April, USA Fencing banned Rabieh from transporting minors without other adults present and he was only permitted to coach athletes while under the direct supervision of other adults, according to USA Fencing's website. Rabieh was also prohibited from one-on-one or unsupervised contact with athletes, including via phone or other mediums, unless another adult was on the communications.

USA Fencing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.