Menifee school basketball coach arrested in sex with teen
A Menifee high school basketball coach has been arrested on suspicion of oral copulation and child annoyance after police caught her inside a car with 15-year-old.
Lauren Matheney, 23, of Perris was taken into custody Wednesday, a week after a Murrieta police officer checking out a suspicious, parked car discovered the 23-year-old junior varsity coach at Paloma Valley High School alone with the teenager about 10 p.m. near Keller and Menifee roads.
Based upon the suspicious circumstances, police initiated an investigation into their relationship.
“It became apparent the relationship between Matheney and the minor was inappropriate and criminal in nature,” Lt. Tony Conrad sasid. Conrad did not disclose the gender of the teenager or whether the teenager was a student at Paloma Valley.
The Perris Union High School District was notified of the incident Jan. 22 and school officials say they subsequently fired Matheney, a 2008 graduate of Paloma Valley High School.
After a week of investigation, Matheney was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Southwest Detention Center. Matheney was released on $25,000 bail Wednesday afternoon.
The case is being reviewed by the Riverside County district attorney. School district officials said they immediately notified parents at the time of the coach’s removal from her paid position.
Detectives say there may be additional victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact the department at (951) 304-2677.
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