Coach looking at legal action

By James Barron
The New Mexican

SANTA FE — In response to allegations that his son was involved in drinking and conducting in sexual activity with a player on the Santa Fe Indian School girls basketball team, former head coach Johnny Abeyta said Tuesday he is exploring legal action against the school.

Abeyta, who resigned as coach Monday, said he talked to several attorneys after a story in another newspaper reported that an investigation by the Bureau of Indian Affairs was being conducted into the allegations against his son and assistant coach J.R. Abeyta.

The allegations are alledged to have occurred during the team’s hotel stay for the Class AAA State Basketball Tournament in mid-March.

Gilbert Peña, the dean of students at SFIS, said a gag order has been placed on all school administrators regarding the matter and referred all comments to Marcelino Toersbijns, the BIA District Four criminal investigator.

Toerbijns said his department was contacted by the school last week and interviews are being conducted in the investigation, which is considered a priority case. He said the allegations center around a person giving liquor to a minor and the occurrance of sexual activity. The investigation’s focus is on one person at this time, whom he would not disclose.

Abeyta said he was told by SFIS athletic director Pancho Guardiola that his son, who was the junior varsity head coach, is the only one being investigated.

“We are in the process of seeking legal action because the integrity of me and J.R. has been ruined,” Abeyta said. “As soon as it comes out in the paper, I said, ‘To heck with it. It’s time for us to go after them.’ We’re not going to sit here and take this lightly. The allegations are completely and totally false.”

Abeyta confirmed that the allegations, which he said came from a parent, stemmed from the team’s stay at the Sandia Resort and Casino during the tournament.
Sandia Pueblo Police Capt. Will Duran said Monday no criminal or informational reports involving the team or the Abeytas were made during its stay from March 11-13.

When Abeyta resigned, he initially said he needed a fresh start. A day later, however, Abeyta indicated the administration’s handling of the situation played a large role in his resignation. Peña said Abeyta’s resignation did not appear to be forced by anyone in the administration.

Abeyta, who also is the first lieutenant governor for Ohkay Owingeh, said he was told of the allegations on April 1, but did not know an investigation already was underway until after his resignation.

“To not to be given the opportunity for J.R. and I to defend ourselves ... “ Johnny Abeyta said. “I should have been called in or the girls should have been called in and it would have been taken care of. It shows the amount of respect they have for me at the school.”