Utah football coach arrested and accused of manipulating teenage player

PROVO – A 41-year-old football coach in Utah County has been arrested and accused of abusing a 14-year-old player.

Aaron Villasenor of Pleasant Grove was booked into the Utah County Jail on Wednesday on two counts of sexual abuse.

On July 2, Provo police were asked to investigate Villasenor for allegedly “attempting to groom a 14-year-old player by convincing her to be his girlfriend. Aaron is her soccer coach,” a police affidavit states.

The girl’s mother told investigators that her daughter had received private lessons from Villasenor.

“She said her daughter came to her and told her that (Aaron) wanted her to be his girlfriend. Her daughter told her that they were texting each other and he was calling her pet names and saying he loved her,” the affidavit states.

When questioned by investigators, Villasenor admitted to kissing and inappropriately touching the girl, according to the affidavit, and made statements such as “it was my fault” and that he “didn’t think.”

“Aaron told me he had never done this to another player. He said the victim was special and he fell in love with her,” the affidavit states.

Villasenor was taken into custody after his interrogation.