A high school basketball coach in Alhambra was arrested Thursday for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a teenage girl who attended the school, police said.
The Alhambra Police Department said they arrested 56-year-old Joseph Alan Kikuchi for allegedly having unlawful sexual contact with a 16-year-old girl who played on the girl's basketball team at Mark Keppel High School.
Police said Kikuchi and the student began an inappropriate relationship about one year ago.
Students at Mark Keppel High School said they heard rumors Kikuchi and the girl went to Disneyland together and had dinner dates. A school official learned of the rumors last week and reported to the school officer who informed detectives.
Investigators contacted the girl and said she was cooperating with authorities. School officials and some students were also interviewed, according to the Alhambra Police Department.
Kikuchi left Alhambra Police Department with his attorney Paul Gellar after he posted bail Thursday.
"He's had a very long, emotional day and at this point certainly deny the charges and we're just going to leave it at that at this point," said Gellar.
According to a news release, the Alhambra Police Department was advised by Alhambra Unified School District that Kikuchi resigned his position as a coach on Sept. 15. Kikuchi and his attorney Paul Gellar said Kikuchi resigned because of medical reasons.
Alhambra Police Department said Jacinth Cisneros, principal, and Khevan DeVaughn, assistant principal, were placed on administrative leave while police continued their investigation.
Kikuchi was scheduled to appear in court Sept. 28.
Alhambra Police Department asked the public to come forward if they have any information about Kikuchi having any appropriate contact with students.
