SAN MARTIN
– The Gilroy youth basketball coach charged with raping a minor
plead not guilty Tuesday afternoon to two counts of felony sexual
assault of a minor under the age of 14.
SAN MARTIN – The Gilroy youth basketball coach charged with raping a minor plead not guilty Tuesday afternoon to two counts of felony sexual assault of a minor under the age of 14.
The defendant, Quintin Lamarcas Daye, 44, was accompanied by a newly retained attorney Tuesday when he appeared at the South County Courthouse in San Martin.
Daye, who lives at 7665 Laurel Drive, was arrested on April 2 by Gilroy police. Daye has helped coach a traveling Gilroy girls basketball team during the past two summers. He has been free from county jail on $100,000 bail since he was arrested.
“My client is maintaining his innocence,” said Merrill Zimmershead, the Gilroy defense attorney Daye hired Tuesday morning. “As you know (Daye) was a well liked and respected individual in the community – he was a basketball coach – so he wants to prove that these charges are false.”
According to police reports, Daye is accused of sexually assaulting the minor against her will several times between 1999 and 2002. The girl, now 17, was 13 years old when the first assault occurred, although she did not report Daye to the police until January.
During Daye’s first court appearance a restraining order was issued requiring he not have physical or verbal contact with the alleged victim in the case.
If convicted on the felony charges, Daye could face up to 24 years in prison.
“We wouldn’t have issued the charges if we didn’t think what the victim said happened happened,” said Deputy District Attorney Steve Fein, who is prosecut
ing Daye’s case. “Right now it’s hard to say what will happen.”
Under California law, sex
crimes against minors under the age of 14 carry stiffer penalties than against older juveniles.
Daye’s alleged victim came forward to police after a friend of her’s urged her to contact authorities, according to police reports. Both blood and semen tests were taken from the girl.
Daye is scheduled back in court at 9 a.m. on May 30 in San Martin, at which time a trial date could be set or a deal could be arranged.
