LOS ANGELES – A state appeals court panel has overturned a former American Youth Soccer Organization coach’s conviction on sex-related charges involving seven boys and one girl, but upheld his conviction on similar counts involving seven other boys.
In a 46-page ruling, a three-justice panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal found that there was insufficient evidence to support Renoir Valenti‘s conviction on one felony count of continuous sexual abuse involving one boy and two misdemeanor counts of annoying or molesting a child involving two other boys. The panel also ruled that a misdemeanor count of annoying or molesting a child involving a girl was filed under a law that did not exist at the time of the alleged crime in the 1980s.
Those counts cannot be retried.
Citing “conflicting jury instructions” that violated Valenti’s right to due process, the panel on Thursday also reversed his conviction on four other misdemeanor counts of annoying or molesting a child involving four other boys and sent back the case for retrial on those counts.
“I respect the Court of Appeal’s decision, but I disagree with it,” said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami, who prosecuted the case.
The appeals court panel affirmed Valenti’s conviction on charges involving the other seven boys.
Valenti was sentenced in April 2014 to more than 130 years to life in state prison and was ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
He was convicted in February 2014 of 13 felony counts and seven misdemeanor counts.
The charges involved crimes committed between 1995 and 2012 at homes where Valenti lived in Quartz Hill, Palmdale and Lancaster, along with other locations, including soccer fields in the Antelope Valley and Santa Clarita, the prosecutor said.
Six of the children were soccer players he had coached, and the victims were typically between 8 and 12 years old, Hatami said.
Valenti — who used numerous aliases — was arrested in August 2012.
Authorities said that he had coached for more than 16 years, and that an investigation was launched after the mother of one of the boys reported that her son had been molested.
Previous related stories:
Convicted child molester gets 130+ years
Ex-soccer coach found guilty on all counts
Accused soccer coach: “I did not molest any children!”
Child molestation trial opens against former AV soccer coach
AV soccer coach to stand trial on child molestation charges
Boy molested more than 10,000 times, according to testimony
Preliminary hearing resumes in soccer coach child-molest case
Allegations aired in soccer coach child-molest case
AV soccer coach now charged with molesting 13 boys
More alleged victims identified in soccer coach child molestation case
Local youth soccer coach charged with child sexual assaults, more victims sought
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mary says
It’s around the world – in every city, state, and country, kids are being raped and molested. Lancaster or Palmdale is no different than any other place. Sadly it is out of control from our Valley to the next. Trust me, he is not the only soccer coach who has or continues to molest kids…it will hapoen tosay too because some noron if a parent will allow their child to ride with one…alone. This is EXAXTLY what happened in this case. It was basically, “Yes, take my child and be alone e ith him and thank you for being such a great coach”. Stuoid parents. Just another remibser parenrs from me: DO NOT LET YOUR KIDS GO WITH ANYONE OR YOU ARE SETTING THEM UP TO BE HURT
Danny says
He needs a bullet to the head after he is beat to a pulp a few times to realy fell some pain. People like him can not be fixed.
Not a Fan says
Lancaster’s not that bad. There are far worse places. The biggest problem in Lancaster is the mayor. He’s a piece of work. When he’s gone things will get better for Lancaster and the rest of the Valley.
Stan says
More sex offenders in Lancaster than anywhere in the AV.
Just Saying says
If you include Quartz Hill with Lancaster, it becomes the lowest in the county.
Highest is Littlerock with 1 in 49,
second place is Lake Hughes with 1 in 216.
Lancaster City Limits is 1 in 413,
Palmdale is 1 in 798
Lancaster/Quartz Hill is 1 in 5,662.
Stan says
How about if Quartz Hill is included with Palmdale? It has more in common like lower crime rates, higher property values, nicer neighborhoods, and the absence of a nutty mayor. Plus both Quartz Hill and Palmdale have been subjucated to the mayor of Lancaster’s unwanted interference with lawsuits, elections, and having a Super Walmart shoved up their keesters. Lancaster is its own strange world as a result of poor leadership.
Spiffy says
Qhill doesn’t want all of palmdales sex offenders. I’d say Palmdale is catching up pretty quick what with three on this page right here. Without the prison Lancaster would be way lower. Palmdale is just the spot for sex offenders I guess.
Danny says
Your wrong
Sherpang says
Let me guess… Palmdale. Ugh. What’s the deal with Palmdale and sex offenders!