Victim's mom trusted accused trainer

GRANDVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) - A Grandville volleyball trainer has been arrested on allegations that he sexually assaulted some of his juvenile female athletes.

Florencio Castillo was arrested Friday and arraigned Tuesday on charges of third- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, according to Grandville police.

Castillo, who was working at Impact Dynamics on 28th Street, was holding one-on-one training sessions with juvenile girls. Police received at least two complaints of sexual assault involving him.

The first alleged victim, 15, said she was playing volleyball at the facility when she pulled a muscle in her thigh on April 25. Florencio Castillo said he would help her with the strain.

The victim said he asked her to take off her Spandex shorts, but she did not. Then, she said, he started rubbing her thigh and then her groin. She told authorities he put his hand down her shorts and touched her private areas.

In a sworn affadavit, the arresting officer said, "The victim reported she felt 'violated' but did not know how to respond."

Soon after, a second alleged victim came forward. The 14-year-old said he was showing her some drills when he put his hands down her pants and touched her. She also said he lifted up her shirt.

"She quickly pulled down her shirt which stopped his unwanted contact," the officer wrote in an affadavit.

The document went on to say that Castillo admitted to the arresting officer that he had touched the girl near her private parts, but he did not admit to touching her in the way she had described.

"He denied any inappropriate touching with the second victim," the affadavit said.

The parent of one of the victims told 24 Hour News 8 she felt "just shock" over what her daughter told her happened.

"Anger and disappointment," the mother said. "It's hard knowing the news people are talking about your daughter."

Some supporters don't believe that Castillo is guilty.

"He does not have a malicious bone in his body," parent Debbie Tenelshof told 24 Hour News 8 outside the gym.

The parent of the victim said that she would not have expected anything of Castillo had her daughter not told her that he had inappropriately touched her.

Grandville police say they worry that there may be additional victims that were hesitant to come forward with allegations against a coach that so many like.

The mother said that coming forward was part of he daughter's healing process.

"She felt relief telling me," said the victim's mother.

The mother said she's pleased with authorities' response.

"We're very proud of the Grandville police and how they are handling it," said the victim's mother.

Police said that the owner of the gym, Rey Castillo - Florencio's brother -  has been extremely cooperative during their investigation and that it is "undergoing internal adjustments ... to assure the safety of the athletes."

"I'm sorry that it happened in my facility," Rey Castillo told 24 Hour News 8. "I hope that the family and the player recover."

When 24 Hour News 8 asked if he believes his brother committed the acts he's accused of, Rey Castillo said, "I don't know."

Any other victims or anyone with information is asked to contact the Grandville Police Department at 616.538.3002 ext. 709.

Castillo remains in the Kent County jail on $100,000 bond.