A San Jose life coach was arrested Monday for raping a woman with developmental disabilities, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office said. Damian Trujillo reports.
A San Jose life coach was arrested Monday for raping a woman with developmental disabilities, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.
Anthony Valerio's alleged crime came to light last September after the then 21-year-old victim's parents reported to a deputy on patrol that their daughter had possibly been sexually assaulted.
"It's extremely disturbing," said Lt. James Jensen. Developmentally disabled people "can't defend themselves, mentally or possibly physically, and it's our job as law enforcement to defend those that cant defend themselves."
For more than 20 years, 42-year-old Valerio also worked at Calero High School, where he helped adult students transition into jobs. The alleged rape did not occur at the school, sheriff's deputies said.
Chris Funk, the superintendent of the East Side High School District, said Valerio passed all background checks and annual evalutions as a school employee. He called the accusations horrendous.
Valerio was a job training technician for the district, getting adult students ready for the workforce if they faced problems in regular high schools, Funk said.
The superintendent said the program requires trust, but Valerio’s arrest has cast a shadow on the institution. Funk also said that Valerio left the country after the allegations first arose last year.
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An investigation is ongoing and sheriff's deputies are working to determine if there are any other victims.
Valerio has been booked into Santa Clara County Jail.
People with information are asked to call 408-808-4500 or leave a tip at 408-808-4431.
