VENTURA : Coach Faces Trial in Stalking Case
A Ventura High School assistant wrestling coach was ordered Thursday to stand trial on charges that he stalked and beat his former girlfriend, who authorities say is an aide to Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria).
Municipal Judge Bruce A. Clark made the ruling during a preliminary hearing.
Steven Padilla, 39, is charged with eight counts of violating a restraining order, one count of spousal battery with traumatic injury, one count of battery and one count of stalking.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Maeve J. Fox said Padilla committed the crimes against O’Connell aide Laraine Sanchez.
She said Sanchez, who is in her early 30s, broke off a relationship with Padilla in the fall because of his violent temper. After the breakup, Padilla broke into the woman’s Ventura residence on numerous occasions between Nov. 29 and Feb. 8, Fox said.
“They broke up,” the prosecutor said. “He used violence against her before and afterward.”
Padilla’s attorney, Carl Beckel, could not be reached. Padilla is being held in Ventura County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
