Crime & Safety
Former Coach Arrested By WCPD Sentenced For Sex Abuse Of Minor
The 60-year-old former school employee has remained in custody since his arrest by Walnut Creek police a year ago this month.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A former basketball coach and school district employee from the North Bay was sentenced Wednesday in a Contra Costa County courtroom for sexual abuse of a girl younger than 14.
Paul Ruben Fielder, a 60-year-old Solano County man, pleaded guilty to charges he sexually abused a child under the age of 14. As a result of his guilty plea, Fielder was sentenced to 15 years in state prison. He is also required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Fielder was taken into custody in July 2019 and has remained behind bars in Contra Costa County jail since his arrest, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office.
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The case was prosecuted by Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Bryan Tierney and was the result of an investigation by the Walnut Creek Police Department, the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations.
Fielder was arrested July 11, 2019, by federal agents and Walnut Creek police when it is alleged he showed up at an agreed upon location with the intent of engaging in sex with a minor.
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Authorities also served a search warrant at his Suisun City residence in an investigation that prosecutors said revealed Fielder had been sexually abusing a minor for several years.
Investigators also learned Fielder previously coached youth sports in Solano County, and worked for at least one high school as a campus supervisor.
The investigation was conducted by a multi-agency Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is managed by the San Jose Police Department. In Contra Costa County, detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, San Ramon, Concord and Moraga Police Departments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Contra Costa County Probation Department, and inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office participate in the task force.
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