A high school wrestling coach has been charged with more than two-dozen sex-related counts involving four students — three boys and a girl, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said.
Terry Terrell Gillard, 56, pleaded not guilty to 23 felony counts of lewd act upon a child ages 14 or 15, two felony counts of attempted lewd acts upon a child 14 or 15 and one felony count of sexual battery by restraint, along with four misdemeanor counts of child annoying, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The charges against Gillard — a wrestling coach at John H. Francis Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley — involve three boys and a girl, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
The alleged crimes occurred between 2014 and 2017 and involved minors Gillard met through the wrestling team, Deputy District Attorney Cathy Lee said.
According to the Los Angeles Unified School District, Gillard worked as a campus aide and also served as the wrestling coach. LAUSD Superintendent Michelle King said the district is “cooperating with the Los Angeles Police Department following Gillard’s arrest on Tuesday.
“Mr. Gillard was immediately reassigned from the school,” King said. “The safety and well-being of our students remains our top priority. While recognizing that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, these allegations are extremely upsetting, and we take them very seriously. We will remain vigilant in protecting our students from those who would do them harm. We expect every person in this district to fulfill their commitment to keep our students and schools safe.”
Gillard is due back in a San Fernando courtroom June 29, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.
If convicted as charged, Gillard could face 24 years in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
–City News Service