Ex-Central Coast coach, yearbook distributor convicted of child sex crimes

June 19, 2024

Gregory Scott Ray

By JOSH FRIEDMAN

A former Central Coast coach and yearbook distributor is facing life in prison for dozens of child sex crimes.

In 2019, responding to a tip from a Santa Ynez Valley High School teacher who overheard an inappropriate conversation, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation into Gregory Scott Ray. Detectives determined Ray, now 57, was using a social media app in order to meet and have sexual contact with young males and that he had been using the app for many years.

Deputies arrested Ray, and prosecutors later charged him with numerous offenses pertaining to crimes in Santa Barbara, Orange and Fresno counties.

Last week, a jury convicted Ray of counts including lewd and lascivious acts on a child, sodomy of a person under 14, oral copulation of a person under 18 and attempted sexual penetration of a person under 18. Ray abused eight victims between 2007 and 2018, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office. 

Ray reportedly met some of his victims through his sons, who attended schools in the area. He also coached Little League baseball and was involved with the high school volleyball team.

Prosecutors say Ray used his employment as a yearbook distributor in order to gain additional access to teenage boys. Ray met boys as young as 13 on dating apps like Grindr and Adam4Adam.

Eventually, one of the victims confided to a friend. Ray was then reported to the high school principal, who in turn, contacted law enforcement.

Ray’s sentencing is scheduled for July 24. He faces a maximum sentence of 164 years to life in prison. 

 


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Pedophiles are not popular with the other prisoners.


Can the victims sue Josten’s?


With a resume like that, Ray would be a perfect fit as a Southern Baptist preacher


Young men and women, speak up! We’re here for you.


If this would have happened in San Luis Coastal they would have covered it up and called the victims crazy. Then, they would promote the administrator that covered it up.

Kudos to the educators in Santa Ynez for standing up for kids.