Illegal Alien Soccer Coach Charged with Horrific Sex Crimes Against Minors

The coach is accused of murdering a 13-year-old boy and sexually assaulting two other underage victims.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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An illegal alien from El Salvador named Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino, who was working as a youth soccer coach, has been charged with the murder of a 13-year-old boy as well as additional horrendous sex crimes against two other underage victims. The remains of the 13-year-old, Oscar "Omar" Hernandez, were found on a roadside last April, leading to Garcia-Aquino's arrest. Authorities have now charged him with eight counts of sodomy and one count of oral copulation of minors under 16 years old.

Why it matters

This case highlights the dangers posed by illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds being allowed to work with vulnerable youth, as well as the need for stronger vetting and oversight of youth sports organizations. It also raises questions about immigration enforcement and whether more could have been done to prevent this tragedy.

The details

According to prosecutors, Garcia-Aquino was in the country illegally and had no reported criminal history when he was working as a coach with the Hurricane Valley Boys Soccer Club. The 13-year-old victim, Oscar "Omar" Hernandez, went missing after going to visit Garcia-Aquino in Lancaster, and his remains were later found on a roadside in Oxnard. The cause of the teen's death has not been released. Further investigation led to the discovery of two additional alleged victims, with Garcia-Aquino now charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy at his home in Sylmar in 2022 and allowing another underage boy to stay at his Palmdale residence in 2024 before allegedly assaulting him.

  • In April 2025, the remains of 13-year-old Oscar "Omar" Hernandez were found on a roadside in Oxnard.
  • In December 2022, Garcia-Aquino allegedly assaulted a 14-year-old victim at his home in Sylmar.
  • In February 2024, Garcia-Aquino allegedly assaulted another underage victim who had been allowed to stay at his Palmdale residence.

The players

Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino

A 44-year-old illegal alien from El Salvador who was working as a youth soccer coach when he allegedly murdered a 13-year-old boy and sexually assaulted two other underage victims.

Oscar "Omar" Hernandez

A 13-year-old boy whose remains were found on a roadside in Oxnard after he went to visit his soccer coach, Garcia-Aquino, in Lancaster.

Nathan Hochman

The Los Angeles County District Attorney who is prosecuting the case against Garcia-Aquino.

Department of Homeland Security

The government agency that issued a statement condemning Garcia-Aquino as a "depraved illegal alien who should have never been in this country."

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What they’re saying

“13-year-old Oscar Omar Hernandez was an innocent child who was exploited and killed by this depraved illegal alien who should have never been in this country.”

— Department of Homeland Security (Social media)

What’s next

Prosecutors have yet to decide if they will pursue the death penalty against Garcia-Aquino.

The takeaway

This case highlights the urgent need for stronger vetting and oversight of youth sports organizations to protect vulnerable children from predators, as well as the importance of robust immigration enforcement to prevent dangerous criminals from entering the country illegally in the first place.