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PRESS RELEASE. From San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office on April 14th, 2026.
HALF MOON BAY, Calif. – A coach and teacher with the Cabrillo Unified School District has been arrested on suspicion of sex crimes involving a former student who was a minor at the time.
In early August 2026, detectives with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office began investigating allegations of sexual assault involving Paul A. Farnsworth, 61, of Half Moon Bay, who works as a coach and teacher with the Cabrillo Unified School District.
The investigation began after the victim reported for the first time to the Sheriff’s Office that she was sexually assaulted by Farnsworth in 2008, when he was her coach. She reported that approximately one year later, a sexual relationship began when she was 16 years old. The Sheriff’s Office has connected her with community resources and support.
With the safety of the community in mind, detectives worked swiftly and obtained an arrest warrant for Farnsworth.
On August 13, he was arrested at his home in Half Moon Bay and booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility for violations of:
PC 288(c)(1) – Lewd or Lascivious Acts with a Child 14 or 15 Years Old
PC 289(a)(1)(A) – Sexual Penetration by Force, Violence, Duress, Menace, or Fear
Based on the nature of the crimes, investigators believe there may be additional unidentified victims and/or individuals with information relevant to this investigation. Detectives are asking anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Farnsworth, including anyone who was a minor at the time of the alleged conduct, to come forward.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Pitts at 650-363-4060 or npitts@smcgov.org.
Anonymous tips can be made by calling 1-800-547-2700.
Author: mdrag
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