[UPDATED with Charges, Second Victim:] Anthony Serrano, OC Youth Boxing Legend, Accused of Sexually Molesting Boxers

See update at the end of this post on the charges against Anthony Serrano, who is now accused of having preyed upon two boys.

ORIGINAL POST, JULY 16, 5:18 A.M.: Anthony Serrano is a legend in local sports as head of the Santa Ana Boxing Club, a ramshackle gym off Fourth Street that has saved many a young man and woman from the gang life over the past 30 years, the last 10 under Serrano's watch.

But in a shocking development late Sunday night, sources tell the Weekly that police arrested Serrano on charges that he sexually abused one of his boxers.
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Serrano was arrested under California Penal Code 288, lewd and lascivious on a child under 14. He is being held on $100,000 bail at Central Jail. No charges have been filed yet by the Orange County District Attorney's office.

The OC media had long praised Serrano's life as one of personal redemption. A self-admitted former criminal and drug addict, the Anaheim native took over the Santa Ana Boxing Club about a decade ago and refurbished it into a place that had a couple of up-and-coming talents–and now, this.

More, much more, as the story unfolds…


UPDATE, JULY 17, 1:06 P.M.: The Orange County District Attorney's office (OCDA) announced that at Anthony Serrano's arraignment scheduled later today that he will be charged with four felony counts of lewd acts on a child for the alleged molestations of two boys under 14.

The Santa Ana Boxing Club coach faces a maximum sentence
of five years in state prison if convicted, according to the OCDA, which is to ask that bail be set at $200,000. Conviction would also include mandatory sex offender registration that would bar Serrano from County of Orange and local city parks that have been deemed child safety zones.

Serrano allegedly met both boys at the club, but when the first youth came forward it was determined there was not enough evidence to support charges, the OCDA explained. The accusations of the second boy prompted the reopening of the first case, prosecutors added.

More evidence is being collected, including the possibility of there being other victims. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Lou Gutierrez at 714.347.8794 or Santa Anoa Police Corporal Robert Valdez a 714.245.8364.

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