Salinas coach pleads not guilty to rape charges

John Fickas, a political consultant and coach at North Salinas High School, pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape by use of drugs, two counts of rape of an unconscious person, one count of sodomy of an unconscious person and one count of sodomy by anesthesia or controlled substance.

The charges stem from investigations into two incidents, one in 2009 outside Salinas city limits and another in 2015 within Salinas city limits. He was arrested in connection to those rapes, but since then, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said it received as many as 30 to 50 reports a day from people with information about Fickas.

Prosecution asked for him to be returned to custody because of up to 100 calls made to law enforcement, including five more alleged victims. They wanted to increase his bail to $2,000,000 because they do not believe he should be at large, but the judge rejected it.

The judge said there is no legal standing for the court to increase Fickas’ bail because new charges have not been filed.

While out on bail, Fickas is not allowed to have personal contact with any minor under the age of 18. He also cannot be at an establishment where the main item of sale is alcohol and cannot be at a private residence where alcohol is available.

His next court date is scheduled for Aug. 21 to set a preliminary hearing date.