High School Athletics Coach Arrested on Suspicion of Statutory Rape

A 21-year-old assistant football coach from La Sierra High School in Riverside was arrested Friday on suspicion of statutory rape and other allegations stemming from his interactions with female students.

Windell Thompson of Riverside was taken into custody without incident at 11:30 a.m. and booked into the Robert Presley Jail. Bail information was not immediately available.

Riverside police Officer Ryan Railsback said detectives conducted "extensive interviews" with witnesses in gathering evidence to justify a warrant for Thompson's arrest.

"It was determined the assistant coach had been having inappropriate contact with various female students at the high school through social media platforms," Railsback alleged. "It was also discovered he had physical contact with at least one of the involved students."

In addition to the unlawful intercourse allegation, Thompson was arrested on suspicion of annoying or molesting a minor. The Alvord Unified School District employed the suspect on an at-will basis, and he was fired as soon as the allegations came to light, authorities said.

"Investigators believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward," Railsback said.

The school district, in partnership with the police, scheduled a town hall meeting for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the La Sierra campus to discuss the investigation and what conversations parents and guardians may want to have with their children.