Former Officer, Coach Pleads Guilty to Enticing Minor

Former Springfield, Massachusetts, police officer and Somers High School assistant wrestling coach Justin Perez, 28, pleaded guilty to enticing a minor and risk of injury to a minor in connection with his treatment of a 15-year-old student. Prosecutors said he obtained the student’s phone number through team messaging, sent sexual messages and explicit images and videos, and engaged in inappropriate contact and sexual comments during individual wrestling sessions. The student left the team and disclosed the conduct to the head coach, prompting an investigation; authorities said evidence recovered from Perez’s phone supported the student’s account. Perez is scheduled to be sentenced in January 2027.