The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has charged a youth soccer coach with murder in connection with the death of 13-year-old Oscar “Omar” Hernandez, whose body was discovered in Ventura County last week.
District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced the charges against 43-year-old Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino.
“No parent should ever have to endure the unimaginable pain and sorrow of learning their child has been murdered,” District Attorney Hochman said. “Oscar simply boarded a train and little did he or his family know that he would never return. Sexual predators who target victims for their own gratification will be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
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LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell stated, “On behalf of the Los Angeles Police Department, I want to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Oscar Omar Hernandez. While we all hoped for a different outcome, the tireless work of multiple law enforcement agencies has ensured that this dangerous individual is off the streets and is no longer a threat to our children and our communities. While this may do little to ease the family’s pain, please know that we are fully committed to pursuing justice for their son.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna added, “There is no excuse for these type of crimes. We will continue to pursue justice and work tirelessly to ensure we bring closure to the victims and their families, while ensuring that such individuals face the full extent of the law.”
Garcia-Aquino was charged with one count of murder with the special circumstance allegation of murder during the commission or attempted commission of lewd acts with a child, which makes him eligible for the death penalty. He is expected to be arraigned tomorrow.
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Oscar Hernandez was reported missing on March 30 after boarding a train to Lancaster to visit Garcia-Aquino. Garcia-Aquino is accused of killing the teen and disposing of his body in Oxnard.
Garcia-Aquino faces a possible maximum sentence of death or life in prison without the possibility of parole. The decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made at a later date.
In a separate case, Garcia-Aquino has also been charged with one felony count of assault with the intent to commit a sexual offense, stemming from an alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old boy in Palmdale on Feb. 22, 2024. If convicted in that case, he could face a maximum sentence of six years in state prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Paul Thompson of the Major Crimes Division and Negin Mostadim of the Sex Crimes Division. The investigation is being conducted by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
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