An undocumented El Salvadoran soccer coach allegedly raped and murdered a 13-year-old American boy he coached, exposing the deadly consequences of Biden-era border failures now under President Trump’s deportation hammer.
Story Highlights
- Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino, an illegal immigrant “gotaway,” faces murder and multiple child sex abuse charges for killing player Oscar “Omar” Hernandez via alcohol poisoning during a lewd act.
- Pattern of abuse spans 2022-2025 against at least three teen players he coached and housed, betraying family trust in California soccer communities.
- DHS condemns him as a “depraved illegal alien” who “should have never been in this country,” fueling calls for stricter enforcement.
- LA County DA Nathan Hochman pursues special circumstance murder charge, potentially eligible for death penalty; new charges filed February 10, 2026.
- Case underscores need for youth sports vetting and mass deportations to protect American children from such predators.
Coach’s Illegal Entry and Rise in Youth Soccer
Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino, born October 24, 1981, in El Salvador, crossed into the U.S. illegally as a “gotaway,” evading detection. He settled in Sylmar’s San Fernando Valley and positioned himself as a youth travel soccer coach for Hurricane Valley Boys Soccer Club. Garcia-Aquino led teams across age groups without any reported prior crimes, building trust among immigrant-heavy communities. Families allowed him to host players at homes in Sylmar, Palmdale, and Lancaster, granting him unchecked access to vulnerable teens.
Timeline of Betrayal and Escalating Crimes
Garcia-Aquino’s abuses began in September 2022 with eight counts of sodomy and one count of oral copulation on a minor under 16. On December 10, 2022, LAPD probed an assault and lewd act on a 14- or 15-year-old at his Sylmar home. February 22, 2024, saw felony assault on a 16-year-old in Palmdale, where the boy’s family permitted him to stay. The fatal incident occurred March 28, 2025, when he lured 13-year-old Oscar Omar Hernandez to his Lancaster home under pretense of making soccer jerseys, murdering him via alcohol poisoning during a lewd act.
Hernandez went missing March 30, 2025, after a train trip to Lancaster. Authorities found his body in early April near McGrath State Beach in Ventura County. LA County DA Nathan Hochman filed initial murder charges in April 2025, consolidating prior assaults investigated by LA County Sheriff’s Department under Sheriff Robert Luna.
New Charges and Path to Justice
On February 10, 2026, prosecutors added nine new counts—eight sodomy and one oral copulation with a minor under 16—against one prior victim, based on additional evidence. Now 44, Garcia-Aquino sits in jail without bail, having pleaded not guilty. A four-day preliminary hearing looms, with the next court date in late March 2026. DA Hochman weighs a special circumstance murder charge eligible for the death penalty, signaling strong pursuit of maximum justice.
DA spokesperson Paul Thompson confirmed the abuse timeline. The Hernandez family expressed heartbreak over the trusted coach’s horrific betrayal. DHS publicly stated Garcia-Aquino “should have never been in this country,” aligning with President Trump’s mass deportation efforts that prioritize removing such dangers and restoring safety for American families.
Impacts on Families, Communities, and National Security
The Hernandez family endures devastation, while two surviving teen victims suffer lasting trauma. Sylmar, Palmdale, Lancaster, and Ventura County soccer communities grapple with eroded trust in coaches, prompting demands for rigorous background checks in youth sports. Politically, the case amplifies debates on undocumented immigrants, as conservative outlets and DHS highlight how lax borders under prior administrations enabled this predator’s presence. LA DA’s backlog dropped from 10,000 to 4,000 cases, aiding swift prosecution. Long-term, it bolsters calls for immigration enforcement to shield children from such threats, echoing President Trump’s successful crime reductions through deportations.
Sources:
Charges Added Against L.A. Soccer Coach Accused of Raping, Killing Teen
Child sexual abuse charges added against Los Angeles soccer coach accused in teen’s murder
District Attorney Hochman Announces Soccer Coach Charged with Murdering 13-Year-Old Boy
Soccer coach charged with murder of 13-year-old boy in Los Angeles
New charges filed against soccer coach in Oscar Omar Hernandez case
Illegal alien youth coach could face death penalty after allegedly murdering, raping teen player
