Local Ice Skating Coach Accused of Molesting Male Student

A 29-year-old man who for the past seven years has been coaching children at several local ice skating rinks, including the East West Ice Palace in Artesia, is in custody today amid allegations of molesting a boy while the coach lived in Hacienda Heights. 

Donald Vincent was arrested on suspicion of felony child molestation at his Torrance home on Friday, Jan. 11 by detectives from the Special Victims Bureau of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He is currently incarcerated with a bail set at $1 million.

Suspect Coached at Ice Skating Rinks in Artesia, Lakewood and Norwalk

Detectives said the suspect has been coaching youth ice skaters for the past seven years at various rinks in the Los Angeles, Riverside and Orange County areas, including:

• East West Ice Palace in Artesia
• Glacial Gardens in Lakewood
• Norwalk Ice in Norwalk (the facility closed in 2007)
• Paramont Iceland in Paramount
• Skating Edge Ice Arena in Harbor City
• Anaheim Ice in Anaheim
• Ice Town Riverside in Riverside

An investigation into the case began in December 2012 when the now 17-year old victim told a friend at a youth camp of the alleged abuse, who then told another person. They then encouraged the victim to report the abuse. 

"The victim told sheriff's investigators that he was repeatedly molested by his skating coach at the suspect's Hacienda Heights home, when he was between the ages of 12 to 15," according to detectives.

Suspect Appears in Court, Charged with Three Felony Counts

Earlier today, the suspect appeared at Pomona Superior Court, where he was charged with three felony counts: one count of 288.5(a) CA Penal Code, Continuous Lewd Acts With a Minor, and two counts of 288(c)(1) CA Penal Code, Lewd Acts with a Minor, Ages 14 or 15.

Other Possible Victims Being Sought

Sheriff's Special Victims Bureau detectives are seeking the help of the public to identify other possible victims, especially during the suspect’s tenure as a skating coach. 

Anyone who may have information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Bureau at 877-710-5273 or specialvictims@lasd.org. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website at lacrimestoppers.org.