BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — A former North High school athletic trainer has been sentenced for lascivious acts with a child.
On November 18, Rodriguez accepted a plea deal with the Kern County District Attorney. On Friday, Edwin Rodriguez was sentenced to 3 years in prison for lascivious acts with a child 14 or 15 years old. He must also register as a sex offender.
Rodriguez was an athletic trainer at North High School and was accused of engaging in inappropriate behavior with both male and female students, including telling a 17-year-old male student he was "gay on the weekends.” according to court documents.
Court documents show Kern County Sheriff's Office investigators identified eight juvenile victims during their investigation. KCSO says the sexual misconduct dates back to 2015.
Rodriguez was arrested in February and faced 24 charges including lewd or lascivious acts with a child of 14 or 15 years old, exhibiting harmful matter to a minor, annoying a child under 18, and false imprisonment.
Rodriguez and his wife Josie Rodriguez both resigned from the Kern High School District in May. Josie Rodriguez served as a cheer and instructional aide at North High and has not been charged in connection with the case.
There have also been seven civil lawsuits filed by alleged victims of Edwin Rodriguez. The district said they could not comment on why the couple resigned.
