Los Angeles, CA – The arrest and charging of Armando Felix, a 50-year-old former softball coach from Victorville, on felony charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 years old has brought renewed attention to the vulnerability of young athletes in youth sports programs. As personal injury attorneys serving Southern California communities, Easton & Easton is committed to raising awareness about the rights of survivors and the importance of holding both perpetrators and negligent sports organizations accountable for failures in athlete protection.

Details of the Charges Against Coach Felix

Armando Felix was arrested at the Victorville Courthouse and charged with felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 years old. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the charges stem from repeated sexual abuse that occurred between 2012 and 2013, when the victim was approximately 13-14 years old.

The victim was a member of a softball team that Felix coached, highlighting the predatory exploitation of the coach-athlete relationship. Investigators from the Crimes Against Children (CAC) Detail began their investigation after receiving information on June 30, 2025, about the alleged abuse that occurred over a decade ago.

The fact that the victim has come forward after more than ten years demonstrates the long-lasting impact of childhood sexual abuse and the courage required for survivors to report these crimes. Many survivors of coach abuse struggle with complex feelings about sports they once loved, making it particularly difficult to come forward.

Pattern of Abuse in Youth Sports Settings

This case exemplifies the concerning pattern of sexual abuse in youth sports, where coaches exploit their positions of authority and trust to victimize young athletes. The coach-athlete relationship creates unique vulnerabilities that predators often exploit:

  • Power Dynamics: Coaches control playing time, positions, team selection, and often influence scholarship opportunities
  • Physical Contact: Sports naturally involve physical instruction and contact, which can be exploited to normalize inappropriate touching
  • Isolated Settings: Practices, games, and team travel often provide opportunities for one-on-one interactions away from supervision
  • Trust and Mentorship: Young athletes often view coaches as mentors and authority figures, making them less likely to question inappropriate behavior

The alleged abuse occurred when the victim was just 13-14 years old, an age when children are particularly vulnerable to manipulation by trusted adults. At this developmental stage, young athletes are often eager to please coaches and may not fully understand when boundaries are being violated.

Multiple Investigations and Potential Additional Victims

Significantly, Felix was at the courthouse attending proceedings related to a separate sexual assault investigation when he was arrested on these charges. This indicates a pattern of alleged predatory behavior involving multiple victims, which is unfortunately common in cases involving coaches and other youth-serving professionals.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has released Felix’s photograph and is actively seeking additional victims to come forward. This approach recognizes that predators in youth sports often victimize multiple athletes over extended periods, sometimes spanning several seasons or teams.

Investigators are encouraging anyone with information to contact Detective Wendy Winegar at (909) 890-4904, or to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME for those wishing to remain anonymous. The availability of anonymous reporting options is crucial, as many survivors fear retaliation or judgment from their sports community.

Institutional Responsibilities in Youth Athletics

This case raises critical questions about the oversight and safeguarding measures in place within youth sports organizations. Sports leagues, clubs, and organizations have fundamental duties to protect young athletes, including:

Background Screening and Hiring Practices:

  • Comprehensive background checks for all coaches and staff
  • Regular re-screening to identify any new criminal history
  • Verification of coaching credentials and previous employment

Supervision and Oversight:

  • Clear policies prohibiting one-on-one interactions without transparency
  • Proper supervision during practices, games, and team travel
  • Open-door policies for coaching interactions

Training and Education:

  • Training programs for coaches on appropriate boundaries and recognizing grooming behaviors
  • Education for athletes and parents about recognizing signs of abuse
  • Clear reporting protocols when concerns arise

Safe Sport Policies:

  • Implementation of comprehensive Safe Sport policies
  • Regular policy review and updates based on best practices
  • Swift response protocols when allegations are made

The extended timeline of the alleged abuse (2012-2013) and the fact that there appear to be multiple investigations suggest potential failures in these critical safeguarding areas.

Legal Rights for Survivors of Sports-Related Abuse

Survivors of sexual abuse in youth sports settings have important legal rights under California law. The California Child Victims Act has significantly expanded opportunities for survivors to seek justice through civil litigation, even in cases where the abuse occurred years ago.

Under recent legal reforms, survivors can pursue civil lawsuits against:

Individual Perpetrators:

  • Coaches, trainers, and other sports personnel who committed abuse
  • Compensation for therapy, medical expenses, and long-term impacts

Sports Organizations:

  • Youth leagues, clubs, and governing bodies that failed to protect athletes
  • Schools and districts that employed abusive coaches
  • National and regional sports organizations with oversight responsibilities

These legal actions can address institutional failures such as:

  • Inadequate background screening and hiring practices
  • Failure to implement or enforce Safe Sport policies
  • Negligent supervision of coaches and staff
  • Inappropriate response to reports of concerning behavior
  • Failure to report suspected abuse to authorities

Civil litigation can provide survivors with compensation for the extensive therapy often required to address sports-related trauma, educational impacts, and the long-term emotional consequences of abuse. Many survivors of coach abuse develop complicated relationships with physical activity and sports participation that can last a lifetime.

Easton & Easton’s Commitment to Supporting Survivors

At Easton & Easton, we have extensive experience representing survivors of sexual abuse in cases involving youth sports organizations, schools, and other athletic programs throughout California. We understand the unique challenges faced by young athletes who have been victimized by trusted coaches and mentors.

Our approach focuses on providing compassionate legal representation while also connecting clients with appropriate therapeutic resources and victim advocacy services specifically experienced in sports-related trauma. We recognize that survivors of coach abuse often struggle with complex feelings about athletic participation and may require specialized support to rebuild their relationship with sports and physical activity.

The charges in this case represent an important step toward justice, but they also highlight the ongoing need for comprehensive reform in youth sports safety protocols. Young athletes deserve to pursue their athletic goals in environments that prioritize their safety and well-being above all else.

The accounts shared here underscore the critical need for continued vigilance and accountability regarding the safety of children within our sports communities. At Easton & Easton, attorney Saul Wolf remains dedicated to leveraging his extensive experience in cases of sexual abuse to pursue justice for those who have been harmed.

His work reflects a steadfast commitment to thoroughly investigating institutional failures such as Church Entities (including the Roman Catholic Church), Private Schools and Public School Districts (including LAUSD), Youth Servicing Organizations (including Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCAs) Youth Sports Organizations and National Governing Bodies (including USA Water Polo, and USA Cheer) and advocating for survivors.