Fountain Valley Coach Accused of Having Sex with Girl Pleads Not Guilty

A former assistant girls' basketball coach charged with having unlawful sexual intercourse with a teenage student at the school pleaded not guilty Friday.

John Tran Nguyen, 21, of Fountain Valley also was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence after he allegedly slapped the girl, according to the Orange County District Attorney's office.

He was arrested Jan. 20, but later posted $20,000 bail, according to jail records.

Nguyen coached the team during the 2010-11 season, according to prosecutors. He met the alleged victim when she was 14 and began dating her, prosecutors said. In December 2010, he allegedly had sex with her in his vehicle. Although prosecutors said the sexual relationship continued over the next year, Nguyen has been charged with just one count of unlawful sex.

Last month, Nguyen allegedly slapped the girl during an argument when they were parked in his car outside a convenience store during school hours, according to prosecutors.

When the girl returned to campus, she told school officials she had been slapped, triggering an investigation by police, according to prosecutors.

Pre-trial in the case was set for April 26. Nguyen faces up to three years in prison if convicted.

-- City News Service contributed to this report.