Joseph Alan Kikuchi, 57, a former girls’ basketball coach at Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra, has been sentenced to five years in state prison for sexually abusing a team member.
Kikuchi pleaded no contest in January to 23 counts of sexual abuse of a minor. He was convicted of abusing the girl over the course of seven months while she was 15 and 16 years old, though Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Jared Moses said during Thursday’s sentencing hearing that the relationship started even earlier.
Moses sentenced Kikuchi after a two-hour hearing at the Alhambra Courthouse. Prosecutor Rena Durrant read a letter from the victim’s father detailing the effect Kikuchi’s abuse had on his daughter and their family. She showed the judge photos of gifts that Kikuchi had bought the girl, including a promise ring and Victoria’s Secret underwear.
Durrant also read some of the threatening text messages that she said Kikuchi sent the teenager when she tried to break off the relationship.
The courtroom was packed with community members, a number of whom spoke in support of Kikuchi and asked the judge to consider his medical needs, his family and the efforts he’s made since his 2015 arrest, including being baptized and helping the homeless.
After an unusually bitter confirmation battle, Jeff Sessions was confirmed as U.S. attorney general. L.A.'s City Council agreed to pay $1.5-million to the family of Ezell Ford. Welcome to the new Ikea. ICYMI: It's huge! California's emergency drought rules will be staying in place -- at least for the near future.
After an unusually bitter confirmation battle, Jeff Sessions was confirmed as U.S. attorney general. L.A.'s City Council agreed to pay $1.5-million to the family of Ezell Ford. Welcome to the new Ikea. ICYMI: It's huge! California's emergency drought rules will be staying in place -- at least for the near future.
After an unusually bitter confirmation battle, Jeff Sessions was confirmed as U.S. attorney general. L.A.'s City Council agreed to pay $1.5-million to the family of Ezell Ford. Welcome to the new Ikea. ICYMI: It's huge! California's emergency drought rules will be staying in place -- at least for the near future.
After an unusually bitter confirmation battle, Jeff Sessions was confirmed as U.S. attorney general. L.A.'s City Council agreed to pay $1.5-million to the family of Ezell Ford. Welcome to the new Ikea. ICYMI: It's huge! California's emergency drought rules will be staying in place -- at least for the near future.
We sent our curiosity correspondent, Benjamin Crutcher, to the largest Ikea in the United States to see what it is like in person. Read more >>
We sent our curiosity correspondent, Benjamin Crutcher, to the largest Ikea in the United States to see what it is like in person. Read more >>
Sophomore LaMelo Ball of Chino Hills scored 92 points Tuesday night in a 146-123 victory over visiting Los Osos.
Sophomore LaMelo Ball of Chino Hills scored 92 points Tuesday night in a 146-123 victory over visiting Los Osos.
Ford's killing after a scuffle with two officers in South L.A. added to the national outcry over police killings.
Ford's killing after a scuffle with two officers in South L.A. added to the national outcry over police killings.
The Lucerne Valley Mustangs refuse to quit, a week in the life of P‑22, Senate rebukes Elizabeth Warren, and judges sharply question attorneys for both sides on Trump's travel ban.
The Lucerne Valley Mustangs refuse to quit, a week in the life of P‑22, Senate rebukes Elizabeth Warren, and judges sharply question attorneys for both sides on Trump's travel ban.
Reach Sonali Kohli at Sonali.Kohli@latimes.com or on Twitter @Sonali_Kohli.
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
