Shocking Betrayal: Ex-Soccer Coach Faces 20 Years in Prison for Unspeakable Crimes—What You Must Know!

A former youth soccer coach in Modesto, California, was sentenced on Friday to five years and eight months in state prison for serious offenses involving child sexual exploitation. Matthew Paez, 33, from Turlock, pleaded guilty to possessing over 600 images of child sexual assault material, soliciting sex acts from minors, and distributing sexual images of himself to a minor, among other charges. Upon his release, he is required to register as a sex offender.

The investigation into Paez began in June 2025 when the Turlock Police Department received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. This tip indicated that child sexual abuse images were being uploaded from electronic devices in Turlock. Following the lead, detectives traced the uploads to Paez and obtained a warrant to seize his digital devices.

During their investigation, authorities uncovered more than 600 illicit images on Paez's devices. Prosecutors noted that Paez acknowledged having a “problem” with viewing child sexual assault material and admitted to possessing the images. A deeper dive into his online activity revealed that he used various social media platforms to contact children under the age of 14, soliciting sex acts and sharing sexual images with them.

Paez was arrested in July 2025 at a residence on the 400 block of Meandering Lane. At the time of his arrest, he was working as a youth soccer coach in Modesto, although investigators have confirmed that there is no evidence indicating that any of his players were directly involved in this case.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Sara Sousa, who emphasized the importance of vigilance among parents regarding online safety. With the increasing prevalence of internet predators using social media to contact and groom minors, the District Attorney’s Office has urged parents to be proactive in monitoring their children’s online interactions. They encouraged families to utilize resources available through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to ensure safer online environments for children.

This case highlights significant concerns regarding the safety of minors in the digital age, especially as technology continues to evolve and provide new avenues for predatory behavior. As the influence of social media grows, so does the responsibility of parents and guardians to educate their children about the potential risks associated with online interactions. The sentencing of individuals like Paez serves as a crucial reminder of the need for ongoing vigilance and education in protecting children from exploitation.