Prosecutors are asking a judge to deny a former Key Biscayne gymnastic coach bond, saying he is a danger to the community. Oscar Olea is accused of underage sex with two teen gymnasts he coached more than a decade ago.
Olea was initially denied bond at his initial hearing last week but his defense attorney Beatriz Llorente argued he is entitled to be released pending trial because her client has had no contact with children, surrendered himself, and has cooperated with police.
A bond hearing on Monday was postponed again because prosecutors had not yet turned over information to Llorente.
Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Alberto Milian showed irritation with attorneys for not contacting him by phone over the weekend to resolve any issues so that Monday’s hearing could go forward. The hearing is set to resume Tuesday.
Olea, again clad in protective clothing because he is on mental health watch, said he understood that he could not have any contact with the two victims, now adults who came forward to police in January.
His mother, Elizabeth Cunningham, watched the proceedings from a back row.
Llorente said police executed a search warrant at her client’s house Friday through another judge. “It’s not a big deal,” Milian said. “Any judge is qualified to review a warrant.”
Llorente also said prosecutors had not turned over witness statements. Milian ordered the state to provide the documents and to also notify the news media.
Olea faces up to life in prison if convicted of sexual battery on a minor over the age of 12.
Records made public Monday — and currently being reviewed by the Independent — showed a detailed series of text messages with one of the girls.
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Tony Winton is the editor-in-chief of the Key Biscayne Independent and president of Miami Fourth Estate, Inc. He worked previously at The Associated Press for three decades winning multiple Edward R. Murrow awards. He was president of the News Media Guild, a journalism union, for 10 years. Born in Chicago, he is a graduate of Columbia University. His interests are photography and technology, sailing, cooking, and science fiction.