News Summary
Central Catholic High School in San Antonio is facing a lawsuit due to serious allegations of hazing and sexual assault involving its soccer team. A 15-year-old student claims to be a victim of harassment and physical assaults by teammates. Despite the school’s assertion of a lack of awareness, investigations by local police are underway. The Garcia family, representing the victim, is advocating for changes in school policies while critical community discussions around accountability for such incidents unfold.
San Antonio School Faces Lawsuit Over Allegations of Hazing and Sexual Assault Involving Soccer Team
Central Catholic High School in San Antonio is currently embroiled in serious legal troubles as it faces a lawsuit linked to allegations of hazing and sexual assault within its soccer team. The school is seeking more than $1 million in damages, attorneys’ fees, and court costs from Levior Energy, amidst ongoing criminal and civil investigations regarding these claims.
At the center of the lawsuit is a 15-year-old student, the son of Carlos Garcia, who has reportedly been the victim of hazing and physical assaults by his soccer teammates. These allegations surfaced after Garcia’s younger son witnessed the older brother allegedly being locked in a cage during a school visit. Following this incident, the older Garcia brother expressed a desire to leave the school due to persistent harassment.
The attorney representing the family, Jesse Guerra, has indicated plans to file a civil suit against Central Catholic, naming both the school’s athletic director and soccer coach, along with possibly including the Archdiocese of San Antonio as a defendant. The lawsuit points to a troubling pattern of behavior beginning in early 2025, which reportedly involves not just physical assaults but also degrading treatment among teammates.
Details of Allegations
Specific allegations against the soccer team include incidents where the victim was pinned down and had genitals pressed against his face. Moreover, on a state championship trip, the coach reportedly allowed the victim to share a room with a senior player who had previously bullied him. The Garcia family claims that their complaints to school officials resulted in minor disciplinary actions against the involved students, failing to address the severity of the situation.
In light of these allegations, both the San Antonio and Round Rock police departments have confirmed that they are investigating reports of hazing and sexual misconduct. As investigations continue, Central Catholic has insisted that it was not aware of any incidents until the charges emerged publicly on April 29, despite Guerra’s claims that coaches had been informed of the ongoing issues.
School’s Response and Community Reaction
Following the allegations, Central Catholic initiated an internal investigation and stated they have implemented appropriate disciplinary measures for those involved. However, the school has faced criticism as four additional students have stepped forward with their own allegations of hazing and sexual harassment. The Garcia family is advocating for systemic changes at the school, including an independent audit of the athletics department, a suspension of the soccer program, and the establishment of new sexual harassment policies.
The attorney representing the Garcia family is considering taking legal action that could lead to the deposition of the Archbishop of San Antonio and is contemplating adding the Archdiocese as a defendant, citing the absence of sexual harassment policies in the school’s student handbook.
Wider Implications
This case has sparked significant concern regarding Central Catholic’s internal handling of such serious allegations and raises questions about accountability for the alleged abusers within the school. The community awaits further developments as both civil and criminal investigations strive to uncover the truth behind these troubling claims of hazing and sexual misconduct.
As investigations unfold, the broader implications of such allegations highlight the need for stronger protective measures and educational reforms within school sports programs to prevent similar incidents in the future, ensuring a safe environment for all students.
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Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
