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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.

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.