A Kern County jury on Wednesday found Keith Cash guilty of three felony sex abuse charges.
From 2011-2012 Cash served as the girls junior varsity basketball coach at Ridgeview High School in Bakersfield. Prosecutors say the victim, a player on the team, was just 13 years old at the time Cash began grooming her for sex.
The Kern County DA’s office says after the girl turned 14, the sexual abuse occurred for the next year. The abuse occurred on school grounds, in Cash’s car and home.
The victim came forward and reported the crimes to Bakersfield police in 2018.
Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer commented on the conviction, stating: “But for the courage of the victim, Cash would have been free to use a position of authority and trust to further victimize other young girls. When child victims come forward with evidence of sexual abuse by adults, our local law enforcement community is prepared to support them by investigating and prosecuting offenders”.
