El Paso Cheer Coach Arrested for Allegedly Recording Athletes Without Consent

An El Paso cheer coach has been arrested after being accused of secretly recording individuals without their consent at a local cheer program.

According to jail records, Christopher Sotelo, a coach with the Texas Bandits All-Stars, was booked into the El Paso County Jail on Saturday. He faces two charges of invasive visual recording and was released the same day on a surety bond of $15,000 per charge.

What the Law Says

Under Section 21.15 of the Texas Penal Code, invasive visual recording is defined as photographing, recording, or broadcasting a person’s intimate areas in a location where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as bathrooms or changing rooms, without their consent. If convicted, the charge is classified as a state jail felony.

Discovery and Removal

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The owner of Texas Bandits All-Stars confirmed Sotelo’s employment with the organization but stated he was immediately removed after the discovery of a recording device. Detectives reportedly identified the device as a portable charger that was being used to record.

In a letter to parents, the program said it pressed charges and is fully cooperating with law enforcement. “The safety and privacy of athletes and families remain our program’s top priority. We have zero tolerance for conduct that compromises trust and security,” the statement read.

The organization also assured families that law enforcement will be present at an upcoming program meeting to answer questions and address concerns.

Ongoing Investigation

The case remains under investigation, and no further details have been released at this time.