A former student in the Cabrillo Unified School District has accused her former coach of sexually assaulting her 18 years ago, San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.
Paul A. Farnsworth, 61, was taken into custody Thursday for sexual assault that allegedly occurred in 2008, the Sheriff’s Office said. The student was a minor at the time, according to deputies.
A LinkedIn listing for Farnsworth says he coached cross country and track and field at Half Moon Bay High School and was a teacher at El Granada Elementary School.
The investigation began earlier this month after the victim reported that she was sexually assaulted by Farnsworth in 2008 and began a sexual relationship with him about a year later, when she was 16, the Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
He was arrested at his home in Half Moon Bay and booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility on accusations of lewd or lascivious acts with a child 14 or 15 years old and sexual penetration by force, violence, duress, menace, or fear, according to deputies.
“Based on the nature of the crimes, investigators believe there may be additional unidentified victims and/or individuals with information relevant to this investigation,” the Sheriff’s Office said. It urged anyone who believes they may have been a victim to come forward.
Anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked to contact Detective Pitts at 650-363-4060 or [email protected]. Anonymous tips can be made by calling 1-800-547-2700.