California High School Football Coach and Pastor Arrested on Multiple Child Sex Crime Charges
A Goleta man was arrested Friday, May 9, by Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives on multiple felony charges related to alleged child sex crimes. The Sheriff’s Office is now urging the public to come forward with any additional information and offering guidance to parents on how to monitor children’s social media use.
The suspect, 42-year-old Shaun Donald Hertlein, was identified in an ongoing investigation that began in April 2025 involving lewd images of children.
Authorities confirmed that Hertlein has worked with minors through his involvement with South Coast Church in Goleta and as an assistant freshman football coach at Dos Pueblos High School.
Dos Pueblos High School Principal Bill Woodard stated that Hertlein served as a walk-on assistant coach during the 2024 season. “He is no longer coaching for SBUSD and has been informed that he should no longer be on campus or part of our programming as an assistant coach,” Woodard added.
The Santa Barbara Unified School District addressed the arrest in a message to families on Monday, emphasizing student safety as a top priority and noting that all staff undergo comprehensive background checks. The district also pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation and reminded families that mental health support is available at all schools.
Hertlein was taken into custody on a warrant and booked at the Main Jail on felony charges including sending sexual images to a minor, using electronic communication with the intent to commit sex crimes, and possession of child pornography. His bail is set at $500,000.
Sheriff’s detectives believe there may be more survivors who have not yet come forward. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact Detective F. Arnoldi at (805) 681-4150.
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