American Canyon High School Coach Pleads Guilty To Sex With Minors

NAPA COUNTY, CA — A former coach at American Canyon High School pleaded guilty and no contest to 10 counts involving two separate victims, including lewd act upon a child, unlawful sexual intercourse and oral copulation of a person under 18, Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced Friday.

Brad Matthew Rowell, 42, of Sonoma, entered his plea before Napa County Superior Court before Judge Elia Ortiz. The terms of the plea agreement call for Rowell to serve a 15-year sentence in state prison and register as a sex offender for life. He must also pay restitution to the victims and is subject to a 10-year protective order barring him from contacting either victim. The most serious charge is a strike under the California Three Strikes Law.

Rowell was charged with crimes against two victims in two separate jurisdictions. The most
recent crimes stemmed from his role as a cross-country coach at American Canyon High
School and his molestation of a student.

Following Rowell's arrest on April 12, the Napa Valley Unified School District placed him on administrative leave. Further investigation uncovered a prior victim outside of Napa County who was under 14 years old at the time Rowell molested her, the DA's Office said.

Both victims were consulted and supported the plea agreement.

"The result was made possible by the hard work and dedication of our law enforcement partnering this case, the Napa Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit, specifically lead Detective Shamus Stafford, Detective Joseph Schiavoni, and American Canyon Police Department School Resource Officer Joshua Coleman," Napa County DA's Office Spokesperson Carlos Villatoro said.

Deputy District Attorney Colleen McMahon prosecuted the case.

"We are pleased to provide closure to the victims and their families so swiftly in this case," McMahon said. "There was an opportunity to spare the victims from testifying in court, make the defendant a lifetime sex registrant and secure a substantial state prison sentence, and we took advantage of it.

Rowell remained in custody this week at the Napa County Detention Center. His bail is set at $500,000 until his sentencing hearing which is scheduled for Jan. 6.