Community Corner
Cops: Murrieta Coach Provided Porn, Drugs, Alcohol to Kids
Michael David Atkins, 44, of Temecula, was booked into the county jail on suspicion of giving illegal substances to minors under 14; selling liquor to a minor; contributing to the delinquency of a minor and giving harmful matter to a minor.
By Mirna Alfonso
Patch Editor
A coach for the Golden Hawks Youth Wrestling Club in Murrieta was out on $50,000 bail Thursday following his arrest earlier this week for allegedly giving minors drugs, alcohol and access to porn.
Michael David Atkins, 44, of Temecula, was booked into the county jail on suspicion of giving illegal substances to minors under 14; selling liquor to a minor; contributing to the delinquency of a minor and giving harmful matter to a minor.
Only the drug charge is a felony.
The 5 foot 9, 220-pound Atkins was ordered to court Aug. 8, according to Riverside County sheriff's jail records.
He was arrested 4 p.m. Tuesday at 6413 Teton Trail, in Temecula, Murrieta police said.
The arrest came following an extensive investigation into claims by a booster club member that Atkins had developed a personal friendship with at least three youths on the club team.
According to MPD Sgt. Robert Anderson, the friendships were forged over the past four months.
"An in-depth investigation revealed that the inappropriate actions took place off campus and there is no connection with the school or district," Anderson wrote in a news release.
The investigation is continuing and anyone with information was asked to contact Detective Paul Johnson, 951-461-6359, or Anderson at 951-461-6317.
The wrestling club rents the gym at Murrieta Valley High School.
Atkins just last Saturday took part in an AAU tournament at Murrieta Valley High.
Wrestlers from all over Southern California flocked to the Nighthawks Nest to compete.
Wrestlers ranged from 5 to 18 years old. It was the first AAU tournament in Murrieta and the surrounding area ever according to AAU records.
Patch Editor
A coach for the Golden Hawks Youth Wrestling Club in Murrieta was out on $50,000 bail Thursday following his arrest earlier this week for allegedly giving minors drugs, alcohol and access to porn.
Michael David Atkins, 44, of Temecula, was booked into the county jail on suspicion of giving illegal substances to minors under 14; selling liquor to a minor; contributing to the delinquency of a minor and giving harmful matter to a minor.
Only the drug charge is a felony.
The 5 foot 9, 220-pound Atkins was ordered to court Aug. 8, according to Riverside County sheriff's jail records.
He was arrested 4 p.m. Tuesday at 6413 Teton Trail, in Temecula, Murrieta police said.
The arrest came following an extensive investigation into claims by a booster club member that Atkins had developed a personal friendship with at least three youths on the club team.
According to MPD Sgt. Robert Anderson, the friendships were forged over the past four months.
"An in-depth investigation revealed that the inappropriate actions took place off campus and there is no connection with the school or district," Anderson wrote in a news release.
The investigation is continuing and anyone with information was asked to contact Detective Paul Johnson, 951-461-6359, or Anderson at 951-461-6317.
The wrestling club rents the gym at Murrieta Valley High School.
Atkins just last Saturday took part in an AAU tournament at Murrieta Valley High.
Wrestlers from all over Southern California flocked to the Nighthawks Nest to compete.
Wrestlers ranged from 5 to 18 years old. It was the first AAU tournament in Murrieta and the surrounding area ever according to AAU records.
Editor’s Note: The outcome of these allegations, as well as the facts, may change as the case progresses through the legal system. Not all details of each investigation are made public. All items are alleged to have occurred. There should be no assumption of guilt.
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