Death Penalty Looms for Illegal Alien Soccer Coach Who Murdered Teen Player
An illegal immigrant from El Salvador who infiltrated American youth soccer now faces the ultimate punishment for the brutal rape and murder of a 13-year-old boy under his care.
Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino, 44, a so-called "gotaway" who slipped past our broken border security, has been slapped with nine additional child sex charges on top of the murder and rape of young Oscar Hernandez. This predator exploited our immigration failures to prey on innocent American children.
Criminal Alien Exploited Vulnerable Families
After illegally entering the United States, Garcia-Aquino established himself as a soccer coach in California's San Fernando Valley. He used his position of trust to target vulnerable families, particularly those without proper legal status who feared reporting crimes to authorities.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has now charged Garcia-Aquino with eight counts of sodomy of a person under age 16 and one count of oral copulation of a minor under 16. These charges come on top of the murder and sexual assault of 13-year-old Oscar "Omar" Hernandez.
Pattern of Predatory Behavior
Court documents reveal Garcia-Aquino's systematic abuse spanning multiple victims and years. He allegedly sexually assaulted children between September 2022 and July 2023, with additional attacks documented in December 2022 and February 2024.
In one case, authorities say Garcia-Aquino "befriended" a family through a local soccer program, eventually convincing parents to let their 14-year-old son stay overnight at his home, where the abuse occurred.
Trump Administration Vows Justice
The Department of Homeland Security issued a strong statement last year: "13-year-old Oscar 'Omar' Hernandez was an innocent child who was exploited and killed by this depraved illegal alien who should have never been in this country. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem's leadership, child predators, pedophiles and murderers will be hunted down and removed from America's communities."
Young Oscar was last seen leaving his Sun Valley home to meet the soccer coach. His body was later discovered along a roadside, a tragic end to a promising young life cut short by our nation's immigration failures.
Border Security Crisis Claims Another Victim
This horrific case underscores the deadly consequences of our porous southern border. Garcia-Aquino represents the worst fears about illegal immigration: dangerous criminals who exploit our generosity and target our most vulnerable citizens.
The victim's brother told CBS News he believed Garcia-Aquino specifically targeted families without proper legal status, knowing they would be reluctant to report crimes to authorities. This predatory calculation shows the calculated evil of those who exploit our broken immigration system.
As Garcia-Aquino faces the possibility of the death penalty, this case serves as a stark reminder of why America needs strong borders, strict enforcement, and leaders who put American children's safety first.