Montgomery Co. softball coach arrested for sexual assault of a child

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas (FOX 26) - A Houston-area softball coach has been arrested for sexually assaulting a child, according to the Montgomery County Constable's Office, Precinct 3.

Juan "Manny" Corona, 44, known to kids as Coach Manny, inappropriately touched a 14-year-old girl in his car while coaching her in private softball lessons at the South Montgomery County Softball League located off Pruitt Road, said Capt. Dan Zientek with the Montgomery County Constable's Office, Pct. 3.

The girl's parents had given Corona permission to pick her up from school and take her to private softball lessons when the assaults occurred on three different occasions in 2017, said Zientek.

“Coach Manny’s a con artist," said Zientek. "Most child predators are con artists. They gain the trust of the parents. They gain the trust of the children.”

Corona would threaten the victim, telling her she could not play for the team if she told anyone, said Zientek.

Corona has been coaching softball for 25 years--the last 17 of which were in Montgomery County--and he could have more victims, said Zientek.

The Montgomery County Constable Precinct 3 is asking the public for help in the investigation--especially anyone who had Coach Manny as a coach. Investigators are attempting to find any other possible victims from his past. Those with information are asked to call the Constable's Office at: (281) 364-4211.

Corona was booked into Montgomery County Jail on January 3 after a warrant was served at his residence.

He has been charged with three counts of sexual assault of a child--each count carrying a $100,000 bond.

One new victim was interviewed and information was obtained from an ongoing sexual assault that
occurred over the course of many years starting when the victim was 12 years old back in 2002.

Evidence recovered on a search warrant from Coach Manny's house in The Woodlands corroborates the victim's statement including video and photos.