A San Mateo County Superior Court judge on Monday delayed sentencing a former high school water polo coach who admitted to having sexual contact with a female student.
Judge Craig Parsons recused himself from the sentencing of Joshua David Tatro, 26, of El Granada, because of two letters in support of the 17-year-old victim that had been submitted to the court by pastors at a Burlingame church that Parsons attends.
"I have to avoid the appearance of impropriety," Parsons said. "This isn't going to work for me."
The case returns to court on March 12, when a new sentencing date will be set before a different judge.
Tatro, who worked as a coach at Aragon High School for a year, was accused of having a relationship with a female water polo player between October 2011 and May 2012, according to the district attorney's office.
The relationship involved digital penetration and numerous cellphone exchanges of photos of body parts, prosecutors said.
In January, Tatro pleaded no contest to one count of sexual penetration of a girl under the age of 18 and one count of sending pornographic material to a minor with the intent to seduce.
He faces up to three years and eight months in prison. Tatro remains out of custody on $25,000 bail.
Copyright © 2013 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
