Phoenix Suns Superfan Mr. ORNG Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Crimes

Battillo, known for his orange outfits at Suns games, faces sentencing in April.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:56pm

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Patrick Battillo, the Phoenix Suns superfan known as Mr. ORNG, has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of child sex crimes, including sexual exploitation of a minor and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor. Battillo, who was the boys' basketball head coach at Peoria High School and volunteered at the West Valley campus, was arrested in 2024 for allegedly offering to pay juvenile students for sexually explicit images and videos over Snapchat. Sentencing is scheduled for April 17.

Why it matters

This case highlights the disturbing reality that even prominent community figures can engage in predatory behavior towards minors. It raises concerns about the vetting process for youth sports coaches and volunteers, as well as the need for increased education and awareness around online grooming tactics.

The details

According to court documents, Battillo pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and two counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor. The charges stemmed from an investigation that began in 2024 when school administrators reported that Battillo had allegedly offered to pay juvenile students for sexually explicit images and videos over Snapchat. The number of alleged victims expanded from three to five during the investigation.

  • Battillo was arrested in April 2024 for the alleged child sex crimes.
  • Battillo pleaded guilty to the charges during a pretrial conference on Monday, March 16, 2026.
  • Sentencing is scheduled for April 17, 2026.

The players

Patrick Battillo

Also known as Phoenix Suns superfan Mr. ORNG, Battillo was the boys' basketball head coach at Peoria High School and volunteered at the West Valley campus before being arrested for child sex crimes.

Peoria High School

The high school where Battillo was the boys' basketball head coach before his arrest.

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What’s next

The judge will determine Battillo's sentence during the April 17 hearing.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of thorough background checks and ongoing monitoring for individuals working with youth, as well as the need for greater education and awareness around the tactics used by sexual predators to exploit minors, both online and in person.