Hialeah Gardens High Basketball Coach Accused of Molesting Players, Promising Them Steroids

Javier Cuenca, a former assistant basketball coach at Hialeah Gardens High School, has been arrested on multiple charges after allegations arose that he molested one or more male players over a period of two to three years. "He would tell them that he was going give them a steroid to...

By Kyle Munzenrieder

November 17, 2014

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "19274298",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17482312",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482310",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482313",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Javier Cuenca, a former assistant basketball coach at Hialeah Gardens High School, has been arrested on multiple charges after allegations arose that he molested one or more male players over a period of two to three years.

"He would tell them that he was going give them a steroid to make them bigger and stronger and more athletic," an anonymous relative of one of the victims told NBC Miami. "And he would tell them that in order to give them that steroid, he had to test them."

"It's been when they're stretching, he'll rub up against them, touch their testicles," she continued.

Cuenca, 33, was arrested Friday, November 14, after a complaint was filed in October. He has since been released on bond. He faces two counts each of lewd and lascivious conduct and lewd and lascivious molestation and a single count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor by providing a controlled substance.

The incidents allegedly happened from 2012 to 2014, and the number of victims is unknown. The outspoken relative believes more victims may come forward.

Cuenca is also alleged to have given a player Anavar, which is a prescription steroid.

Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.