Chandler Police: Phoenix man arrested, accused of child molestation

CHANDLER, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Chandler Police officials say a Phoenix man has been arrested and accused of multiple counts of child molestation.

According to a statement released Wednesday afternoon, 53-year-old Richard Allen Gallegos was arrested for incidents which allegedly took place between 2009 and early 2011. The victims were between the ages of 11 and 14 at the time of the incidents.

Gallegos, Chandler Police officials say, was the subject of a Chandler Police investigation in 2009 for his alleged behavior towards children. At the time, Chandler Police say he helped coach a club baseball team in Ahwatukee, and volunteered as a baseball coach at Seton Catholic Preparatory High School in Chandler.

Officials say at the times, detectives did not have enough evidence to charge Gallegos with a crime, but last month, a former player of the club team Gallegos helped coach contacted Chandler Police and disclosed multiple sexual encounters with Gallegos. Later, a second former player came forward.

According to court documents released by Chandler Police, the two players who came forward were interviewed at the time, and made no disclosures. Both victims, now 21 years old, told police last month of multiple incidents.

Investigators are reportedly trying to determine of Gallegos continued to coach baseball, or interacted with children in the capacity as a coach or instructor after 2011.

Meanwhile, the Diocese of Phoenix has released the following statement on Gallegos' arrest.