Lincoln City police have arrested a youth worker on 31 sex crimes involving seven boys, all under the age of 18. Twenty-two-year-old Tyler William Lopez was charged on Monday, March 20, 2017 and his bail was set at $1.5 million. The charges include two counts of display of child/sexual conduct, one count of first-degree sex abuse and four counts of second-degree sex abuse
Lopez had worked as a youth football coach at Taft High School in Lincoln County and as a baseball coach at Lincoln City Youth League. Officials said he passed both background checks.
Several parents tipped police off to the crimes. According to the Oregon State Police, on the evening of March 18, 2017, Lincoln City Police Department (LCPD) was notified by several Lincoln City parents of possible sex abuse crimes involving juveniles in the Lincoln City area. The Lincoln County Major Crime Team was called out and based on information obtained on March 17, 2017, the suspect was identified and arrested as Tyler William Lopez, age 22, from Lincoln City. Lopez was taken into custody.
The Lincoln City Police is asking for any additional potential victims or witnesses who have not already spoken with investigators about these crimes to contact the Lincoln City Police at 541-994-3636. Please tell dispatchers you have information regarding case number 17-400.
This case remains under investigation by the Lincoln County Major Crime Team which is comprised of members of the Lincoln City Police, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Newport Police, Oregon State Police, Toledo Police, and the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office.
The police have already identified seven boys allegedly abused by Lopez and suspect there may be more children who have been harmed. This case shows that parents can’t rely entirely on background checks. Parents and those entrusted with children have to be proactive and look for signs of danger in order to protect children.