Coach fired, accused of taping student...

Coach fired, accused of taping student showers

The Huntington Beach Police Department is looking into allegations

that a coach at Marina High School has been secretly video taping

students at the school.

Brian Akian, an assistant walk-on water polo and swimming coach,

has been fired as a result of the allegations, said Carol Osbrink,

assistant superintendent of the Huntington Beach Union High School

District.

“I think everybody needs to understand that he is a suspect,”

Osbrink said. “He was released because he is a suspect.”

Akian, who has been a coach at the school for seven years, was

dismissed on Monday.

Police began looking into the matter after a video tape of school

shower footage was found in Akian’s office, Osbrink said.

“A teacher brought the tape to the attention of the athletic

director and they both took it to the principal,” she said. “The tape

was turned over to the police on Friday.”

The investigation is in its early stages and the department is

trying to figure out if a crime did occur and if so when, where and

who is involved, Huntington Police Sgt. Gary Meza said.

No arrest has been made and the department is not commenting about

any evidence involved with the case. It is trying to avoid

compromising the current investigation, Meza said.

“Girls and boys are experiencing a big disappointment in somebody

that they trusted and cared about,” Osbrink said. “That’s hard for

kids.”

Florida man drowns in Surf City hot tub

A 29-year-old Florida man was found drowned in a hot tub in the

6500 block of Polo Circle on Sunday morning.

Stephen William Ringlever, of Sarasota, Fla. was pronounced dead

at the scene early Sunday morning.

“He was alone and there is no sign of foul play,” Huntington Beach

Police Sgt. Gary Meza said.

Alcohol may have played a part in the man’s death, but that hasn’t

been confirmed, Meza said.

“The exact cause of death will be determined by the coroner,” Meza

said.

Surf City detective receives award

Huntington Beach Police Department Det. Don Howell received the

Lifetime Achievement Award from the California Sexual Assault

Investigators Assn.

Howell was presented with the award at the group’s annual training

conference.

Howell was honored for his 20 years of service to the department

and for his expertise and training.

Howell is often asked to speak about sex crimes investigations,

Huntington Beach Police Sgt. Gary Meza said.

“He’s recognized throughout the state as an expert on sex crimes

investigations,” Meza said. “The award was just a culmination of his

professional career.”

-- complied by

Jose Paul Corona