Chris Flores, a well-known youth coach and trainer at STARS Preparatory Academy, was arrested Thursday on multiple counts of sexual assault of a minor according to the Santa Ana Police Department. Flores was booked at Orange County Jail, and is being held on $500,000 bond.
An investigation into Flores began when an alleged victim, a 14-year-old girl from Riverside, told the authorities she was enrolled at STARS and Flores was her coach. According to the victim Flores sexually assaulted her multiple times throughout the year in 2021.
A critical point in the investigation was a recorded call between an adult male, whom the cops identify as Flores, and a minor girl believed to be the victim.
On the recording Flores asks the girl about deleting text messages and pushes her to go on a date with him.
Did you delete anything?” the audio says. After the teen assures Flores that she has indeed deleted texts, he asks her on a date, but she turns him down. “What the hell? We never get to chill and now you don’t want to go and you’re about to start school,” the audio says. “So stop being a dummy.”
The recording continues, with Flores saying, “What about tonight after practice? You want to go watch a movie?” Another portion of the audio, Flores says, “We talked about this dude, you’ve got to stop with the nos.”
A second girl, 15, made similar allegations to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, according to Santa Ana police.
Police believe there are more victims and are urging anyone to speak out on Flores.
“Santa Ana Police Department Detectives believe there may be additional victims that Flores preyed upon as a coach with access to many children and teenagers,” the department said in a statement.
This is deviant predatory behavior and if additional allegations surface and prove to be true, Flores will face severe penalties, as he should.
According to ESPN this isn’t the first time he’s been accused of sexual assault. In In 2009, Flores was charged with the rape and sodomy of a 21-year-old woman.
The charges included three counts: unlawfully kidnapping and carrying away the woman to allegedly commit rape/sodomy; sodomy by anesthesia or controlled substance; and rape by use of drugs. He was acquitted of all three charges in July 2010.
Flores, known as “Coach Frogg,” and former NFL cornerback Jason David founded Rising STARS in 2017, according to organization marketing materials. STARS Prep Academy, which is an affiliation of Rising STARS, is described as a co-op that provides elite sports performance training for middle school athletes.
In the Rising STARS promotional material, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, New York Giants cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, University of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and Clemson University quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei are athletes listed as being part of “Our Stars Family.”
“Never in a million years would I ever imagine releasing a public statement to address sexual misconduct allegations that involves Mr. Flores and our innocent little girls,” David said. “I’m sick to my stomach. I’m disgusted. I’m outraged.” He added that he had empathy for families involved and encouraged people involved to speak up, adding: “We will stand with you.”
Upon Flores’ arrest David immediately severed ties with his co-founder and said he would support the Santa Ana Police Department in its investigation.
