E-Mail
Print
tool name
close
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009
Buhach worker jailed on sex charge
Authorities say he invited a girl to engage in sexual activity at the high school.
ATWATER -- Atwater police arrested Ernest Contreras Cota, 59, a staff member at Buhach Colony High School, last Friday for allegations of sexual misconduct with a child.
The department announced the arrest Tuesday.
According to a press release, Cota was taken into the custody of Atwater police around 3:30 p.m. Friday at the school.
Merced Sun-Star - Ernest Cota
Last Thursday, a girl's parents told police that Cota had invited the girl to engage in sexual activity at the school earlier that week.
Cota was arrested after police found evidence supporting the allegation, Atwater Police Department Detective Armando Echevarria said.
Cota was booked into Merced County Jail on two misdemeanor counts of annoying or molesting a child under the age of 18.
He posted $10,000 bail Saturday and was released from jail.
Cota, from Winton, worked at the school as a Spanish-speaking community liaison. He's been placed on paid administrative leave, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Raynee Daley said.
Daley declined to elaborate on the situation, saying, "It's a confidential personnel matter."
Cota has been affiliated with Buhach Colony High School since 2002, according to the press release from the police department.
An investigation to determine whether other students were involved is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Echevarria at (209) 357-6395.
Reporter Danielle E. Gaines can be reached at (209) 385-2407 or dgaines@mercedsun-star.com.
A few rules are needed to help foster a feeling of community. We encourage a free, CIVIL and open exchange of ideas in a climate of mutual respect, but any post that violates someone's right to use and enjoy mercedsunstar.com is prohibited. Before you post, please read the terms of use and obey these simple guidelines. Here are the ground rules:
1. Be yourself. A nickname will be used for posts, but if an editor finds a user without a verifiable name , that user will be warned or banned.
2. Keep it clean. Foul language (defined by prime-time standards) will not be tolerated. Neither will the intentional misspelling of foul language or the use of non-English curse words.
3. Be truthful. Do not lie or link to sites that may be considered libelous, defamatory or false.
4. Be nice. Don't harass anyone. Don't threaten anyone. Don't use racial slurs. Don't post anything sexually explicit.
5. Be an individual. Do not advertise or solicit. Do not harvest any information for business use.
6. Be original. Do not post copyrighted material.
7. Follow the law. Don't do anything or post anything considered illegal by city, county, state or federal regulations and laws.
On most news stories, the commenting period is closed after three days. If you wish to continue a discussion, please use The Sunspot forum.
@Nyx.CommentBody@