Former Sacramento High School Softball Coach Accused Of Having Sex With Player

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- A former high school softball coach in Sacramento has been arrested for allegedly having sex with one of his players, and hiding it for several years.

Michael Martis, 57, is suspected of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a minor from 2013 to 2015.

Sacramento Police say Martis was coaching the girls' softball team at St. Francis High School when he met the victim.

"It's completely inappropriate, it makes no sense," says Steve Perona, President of the Sacramento Girls' Softball League.

Perona also has four daughters who play softball and is scared to think about what could happen to them if their coach tried to pull a move on them.

"I got a daughter in high school who's playing softball, so do I need to worry about that?" Perona said.

According to Sacramento Police, during the summer of 2013, Martis, who was 53 at the time, allegedly became involved in a sexual relationship with his 16-year old softball player.

In a four-page statement to police obtained by CBS13, the victim says "Martis and I decided to set up a hitting lesson. Martis and I both knew we weren't actually going to practice hitting."

The statement also says the victim continued having sex with Martis and exchanging inappropriate photos until 2015, when the victim's mother saw a text message from Martis asking for her to spend the night at his house.

Martis then told the victim "I'll come up with a plan. Don't say anything about having sex when you were under 18."

Joan Denton lives right across the street from Martis and was shocked to hear about the allegations.

"It makes me sick to my stomach, embarrassed, sad and alarmed," Denton said.

A statement released by the President of St. Francis High School on Friday states "he left on good terms when he started coaching at another local school in 2014. During his association with St. Francis High School, we received no complaints about Mr. Martis."

Martis is out on bail and faces six felony counts, including unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.

He is expected to be in court on June 16.