Judge to soccer coach: Stay away from girl, 15

By Tiffany Gibson

Published Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 | 12:20 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 | 2 p.m.

Justice of the Peace Stephen George today told a private soccer coach accused of having an ongoing sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl to stay away from the alleged victim's family and avoid sporting events where minors are present.

Gabriel G. Lopez, 40, of Las Vegas was booked into the Henderson Detention Center on Oct. 21 on 11 counts of statutory sexual seduction.

A preliminary hearing for Lopez had also been scheduled for today but was rescheduled to 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 13, 2010.

George reduced Lopez' bail from $110,000 to $22,000, granting a motion filed by attorney William Terry to have the bail reduced. Lopez is no longer in custody.

The victim’s mother could also face felony charges of child abuse, neglect or endangerment after admitting to police that she knew about the relationship. No charges have been filed against her as of today.

Lopez was arrested when a Henderson police officer spotted Lopez' black Chevrolet Tahoe parked in a dark area of the Arroyo Grande Sports Complex parking lot about 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 20, police report said. The officer found a man and a girl inside the vehicle and the girl said she had had sexual relations with Lopez since June.

Police said the alleged sexual relationship is believed to be consensual, but the girl had not reached the age of consent, which is 16 under state law.