Male and female adults and minors come forward with allegations against Salinas coach

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said it is receiving upwards of 30-50 reports a day from people with information on John Fickas, who was arrested for multiple rape charges.

Det. Sgt. Bryan Hoskins tells KION that those alleged victims are male and female, minors and adults. Detectives believe there are at least five more victims.

“A lot that relates around students and Mr. Fickas work as a political consultant using students as volunteers and then later paying students for their work,” Hoskins said.

Fickas is a political consultant and a coach at North Salinas High School. He was initially arrested in connection to two sexual assault cases, one in 2009 and another in 2015.

A former Salinas school board member says, although she’s disgusted, she’s not surprised to hear about the charges and other allegations.

She believes Fickas used his political connections to prey on his victims.

“You are flattered that you’re working with people who are connected politically, who portray themselves as very important,” former school board member Margaret Bonetti said. “And you’re taking these young people to events where there is alcohol liquor, and they become vulnerable.”

No new charges have been filed yet relating to the new allegations, but the sheriff’s office says they’re working with Salinas Police and the DA.’s office.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Sgt. Bryan Hoskins at 831-755-3773 or Det. Rosy Silva at 831-755-3818.