League speaks out on accused sex offender
The president of the Oak View Youth Soccer League released a statement Monday underscoring that the allegations of sex abuse by a soccer referee have only a tenuous link to the organization.
Anaheim resident Jorge Serafin was arrested Jan. 15 on suspicion of molesting three children. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has said none of the boys — ages 10, 14 and 15 — were members of the Oak View league.
The statement signed by league President Jose Rodriguez said they were made aware of the arrest through news reports.
“He worked intermittently as a referee at our games over the last year in a half, but no longer works at our games,” according to the league statement.
The release states that referees are only present at Sunday games, where there is always at least one league official on site.
“Oak View Youth Soccer League has not been contacted by authorities because this case does not involve children in our league,” the statement continues. “Jorge Serafin lives in unincorporated Anaheim and the victims live in unincorporated Anaheim — not Huntington Beach.”
Serafin was charged with three felony counts of forcible oral copulation on a minor 14 years of age or older, one felony count of lewd act on a child, and one felony count of lewd act on a child younger than 14, according to the D.A.
Serafin also faces enhancements for allegedly committing crimes against more than one victim, which could lead to additional prison time if he is convicted.
Serafin began communicating with a 15-year-old victim on Facebook in October, according to prosecutors. He is accused of inviting the boy to meet him in the parking lot of his apartment complex twice in November and forcing him to perform oral sex.
Serafin is also accused of inviting a 14-year-old boy from his neighborhood to use his computer Jan. 10. Serafin is accused of sexually touching the victim. Later in the day, he allegedly massaged a 10-year-old boy’s bare back with sexual intent when the alleged victim visited his apartment.
At the time of the crimes, the defendant served as a referee for the Oak View Soccer League.
If convicted, Serafin faces life in prison and must register as a sex offender for.
Serafin, who is being held on $1-million bail, is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 1.
In the statement Rodriguez says because the victims are not associated with the league they will not comment further and he encourages anyone with more information to call Supervising District Attorney Investigator Anthony Sosnowski at (714) 347-8794.
Twitter: @alicialopezhb