High School Coach Charged In Sexual Assault Case Has Disappeared

DENVER (CBS4)- A high school coach who has been charged with sexual assault on a child has disappeared.

Oscar Ponce worked as a track coach and counselor at Lincoln High School in Denver. He disappeared in early December while out on bond.

Ponce was scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Denver Justice Center. The judge waited 30 minutes before writing a bench warrant for Ponce's arrest.

Police in Denver confirm there are three warrants out for Ponce's arrest but would not comment on the efforts to capture the fugitive.

Formal charges were filed against Ponce last week for sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust and pattern of abuse.

Ponce is accused of having sexual contact with a student over a six-month period starting in late 2010.

He was arrested Dec. 14 and bonded out of jail. The next day, a second warrant was issued for Ponce with identical charges when police said another victim came forward.

Ponce hasn't been seen since.

District Attorney Mitch Morrissey's office said the case will be handled in district court where prosecutors won't have to present their probable cause against Ponce.