Avalon School’s high school football coach Michael Forcella was arrested Jan. 9 on suspicion of lewd conduct with a child who was reportedly 15 at the time.
Capt. John Hocking, commander of the Avalon Sheriff’s Station, confirmed the arrest of Avalon resident Michael Forcella this week. He was arrested at a location in the 100 block of Metropole Avenue, according to the most recent Sheriff’s Log.
Hocking confirmed that Forcella was the football coach. Forcella has been a “walk-on” football coach with the school since the 2012-13 school year. A “walk-on” coach is contracted strictly to coach a sport. The school confirmed that Forcella is not a teacher or full-time employee.
According to Hocking, Forcella was arrested and booked for allegedly violating California Penal Code 288 (C) (1), which is defined as lewd conduct with a child, according to the state legislative information page. Section (C) (1) refers to a child who is 14 or 15 years old at the time and an alleged offender who is at least 10 years older.
The Islander reached out to Forcella for comment and he sent a statement via email, denying the allegations.
“I am working with my attorney on having these allegations dismissed and I look forward to clearing my name,” Forcella said.
Hocking said that around Dec. 17 the Sheriff’s Station obtained information from a former Avalon student that the student had been sexually abused when he was 15. According to Hocking, the abuse occurred multiple times over several years.
Forcella has been relieved of his duties as coach, according to school officials, due to the pending charge against him.
“Please know that student safety is our top priority,” the school stated in a release to the community.
The case was referred to the Special Victims Bureau of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. The Special Victims Bureau investigates physical and sexual abuse of children and sexual assaults on adults.
Hocking said the investigation took place between Dec. 17, 2019, and the beginning of January 2020. Hocking said investigators obtained information that established probable cause to make the arrest.
According to the LASD’s website, Forcella was booked at 8:45 a.m., Jan. 9. According to both Hocking and the LASD website, bail was set at $100,000. Forcella was released on bond at 6:11 p.m., Jan. 9.
The school released a statement to the community upon being informed that Forcella had been arrested. “We received word today that Avalon football coach Michael Forcella was arrested this morning for alleged off-campus molestation of a former Avalon student,” the statement read.
“We are working closely with law enforcement, but we cannot comment on their ongoing investigation,” the school noted in the statement.
At this point, according to Hocking, the Sheriff’s Department is waiting for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office to make a determination about the case.
Anybody with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Avalon Station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department at 310-510-0174, the school noted. Students in need of counseling due to any concerns about this case are encouraged to contact the school’s Counseling and College Center.
