A gymnastics coach in Key Biscayne, Florida, is behind bars after a lengthy investigation into allegations that he sexually abused two of his underage students.
Oscar Olea, 38, appeared in court for his hearing on Monday after being arrested last week. He was wearing a green stab vest and looked dejected.
He has been charged with two counts of sexual assault and has bullied at least five people, according to the Miami Herald.
The local outlet's investigation was spurred by a parent's tip to a reporter who said Olea had touched her seven-year-old child inappropriately.
The newspaper then tracked down two other alleged victims, now between 20 and 30 years old, who say Olea had sex with them several times as teenagers.
Oscar Olea stands as he is directed by a correctional officer after appearing in Judge Alberto Miliani's courtroom for his detention hearing on Monday
The 38-year-old gymnastics coach, who is accused of sexually abusing minors, wore a battered green stab vest to his performance after his arrest last week
The victim, now in her 30s, said that when she was 14 and Olea was 22, he was her coach and began befriending her by selling himself as her “big brother.”
A judge on Monday ordered the release of evidence, including a series of shocking text messages between Olea and his then-underage students.
A message shows the underage girl telling Olea that she might be pregnant. He then tells her he wants her to take a test, and if she's pregnant, “we'll take you to an abortion clinic.”
The victim began taking private lessons with Olea at a gym in Key Biscayne, but the twisted trainer allegedly drove her to another gym in Coral Gables, where he harassed her.
Eventually the relationship escalated into sexual intercourse.
Oscar Olea's hands are placed behind his back by a correctional officer
According to law enforcement, the victim was repeatedly abused at his home and gym in Key Biscayne, where Olea placed mats and cones against the wall to prevent anyone from seeing her.
The second victim, now in her 20s, said she was abused by the gym teacher when she was 14 and he was 26.
Text messages between her and her coach at the time confirm that he referred to himself as the student's “brother.”
One of the victims reportedly told police officers that she was being bullied and that her parents were divorcing at the time – Olea, she said, was the only one who “made her feel loved and valued.”
Other messages showed Olea requesting and sending nude photos and that he once sent a victim pictures of himself kissing another minor, according to a local NBC report.
Police have urged any other victims or witnesses of Olea's alleged behavior to come forward.
A judge on Monday ordered the release of evidence, including a series of shocking text messages between Olea and his then-underage students that discussed abortion and his role as the students' “older brother.”
Olea sits alongside other suspected criminals in a South Florida courtroom for his arraignment hearing on Monday, March 4. He is being held without bail
Oscar Olea's mother, Elizabeth Cunningham (center), watches as he appears in court for his detention hearing on Monday, March 4, 2024, in Judge Alberto Miliani's courtroom
Olea's mother, Elizabeth Cunningham, appeared in court Monday while her son stood handcuffed before Judge Alberto Miliani.
Following his arrest last week, Key Biscayne residents held a town hall meeting to inform the general public about the trainer's behavior.
In a statement, Mayor Joe Rasco said, “The Key Biscayne Police Department made an arrest today on serious allegations that have plagued our community for some time.”
“It took a lot of courage for the victims to come forward and speak to police.” I would like to thank our police department and the Miami-Dade Police Department for their tireless work on this investigation. Thanks to the efforts of many, our residents can feel some relief.'
American Gymsters, the gym where Olea is alleged to have abused several of his victims, had not yet commented.
The alleged child molester is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.