Last Updated: May 2026
Gene Richard Griffith III, a wrestling coach at Hesperia High School in San Bernardino County, has been arrested on suspicion of committing lewd and lascivious acts on a child, and investigators believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.
If your child was coached by Gene Richard Griffith III, or if you or someone you know was victimized by him, you have legal rights and the time to act is now. The experienced civil sexual abuse attorneys at Dordulian Law Group are here to help you understand those rights and pursue the justice your family deserves. Contact us at (866) GO-SEE-SAM or click here for your free and confidential attorney consultation.
On May 5, 2026, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department received a report of lewd and lascivious acts involving a child in the city of Hesperia. Investigators with the Sheriff’s Department’s Specialized Investigations Division, Crimes Against Children Detail, responded to the report and identified Hesperia High School wrestling coach Gene Richard Griffith III as the suspect.
Griffith was arrested the following day and booked at the High Desert Detention Facility in San Bernardino County on suspicion of committing lewd and lascivious acts on a child. Detectives have released Griffith’s booking photograph to the public because they believe there are additional unreported victims. Anyone with information about the incident, or who believes they or someone they know may have been victimized, is urged to contact Detective Victoria Twardowski at 909-890-4904, or to report anonymously by calling or texting “REPORT” to We-Tip at 844-909-3006.
The arrest of a trusted coach, teacher, or school employee is always deeply alarming, but it is unfortunately not uncommon. Coaches hold positions of tremendous authority over young athletes, often spending extensive time with children during training sessions, travel, and team events. That trust can be exploited, and when it is, the damage to survivors and their families is lasting and severe.
The criminal case against Gene Richard Griffith III is being handled by law enforcement and the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office. A criminal conviction, if obtained, may result in incarceration and other penalties. However, the criminal process is not designed to provide financial compensation or individual justice for survivors.
A civil lawsuit is a separate legal action brought specifically on behalf of the victim. Civil cases have a lower burden of proof than criminal cases, and a civil claim can move forward regardless of the outcome of any criminal proceedings. In a civil case, you are represented by your own attorney, and any compensation recovered belongs to you and your family.
Survivors who file civil claims against their abusers and the institutions that failed to protect them may be entitled to compensation for:
One of the most critical questions in any school sexual abuse case is whether the school, school district, or other responsible parties may share civil liability. Schools have a legal duty to protect the children in their care. When a school employee commits sexual abuse, the institution may be held liable if it failed to conduct adequate background checks, ignored warning signs, responded inadequately to prior complaints, or created an environment that allowed abuse to continue.
If Gene Richard Griffith III abused students over an extended period of time, or if complaints were made to school officials that were not properly addressed, those facts could support claims not just against Griffith personally, but against the school and district as well. A thorough civil investigation can uncover evidence that a law enforcement investigation often does not pursue.
At Dordulian Law Group, our attorneys conduct comprehensive investigations into every case, identifying all potentially liable parties to ensure our clients receive the full compensation they deserve.
California has enacted significant legislation to protect the rights of survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Under Assembly Bill 452 (AB 452), California strengthened and clarified the civil legal framework for claims arising from childhood sexual abuse, including abuse committed by individuals in positions of authority such as coaches, teachers, and school staff.
Under California law, victims of childhood sexual abuse generally have until age 40, or within five years of discovering a psychological injury caused by the abuse, to file a civil lawsuit. This extended timeframe reflects the reality that many survivors do not immediately report abuse or connect their emotional and psychological difficulties to childhood trauma.
California Penal Code Section 288 defines lewd and lascivious acts with a child as a serious felony, and civil law allows survivors to pursue claims based on those acts regardless of criminal court outcomes. If you or your child was victimized by Gene Richard Griffith III, speaking with a civil sexual abuse attorney as soon as possible will protect your legal rights and allow for the preservation of critical evidence.
The moments following a disclosure of abuse are overwhelming for any family. Here are important steps to take to protect your child and your legal rights:
Call Dordulian Law Group today at (866) GO-SEE-SAM for a free, confidential consultation.
When your family is facing one of the most devastating experiences imaginable, the law firm you choose makes all the difference. Dordulian Law Group is not simply a personal injury firm that occasionally handles abuse cases. Fighting for survivors of sexual abuse is at the heart of what we do.
Attorney Sam Dordulian is a former sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County, with more than 100 jury trial victories to his name. His prosecutorial background gives our clients a unique advantage in negotiations and at trial because he understands how defense attorneys and insurers operate from the inside. He brings that knowledge to work every day on behalf of survivors.
Dordulian Law Group has recovered over $150 million in settlements and verdicts for victims across California. We maintain a 98% winning record because we are selective, thorough, and relentless in our pursuit of justice for every client we represent.
Our dedicated SAJE (Sexual Assault Justice Experience) team is specifically trained to handle child sexual abuse cases and school sexual abuse cases with the trauma-informed sensitivity, discretion, and expertise that survivors deserve. We manage everything, from investigation through litigation, so our clients can focus on healing.
When you work with Dordulian Law Group, you receive:
If you or your child may have been victimized by Hesperia High School wrestling coach Gene Richard Griffith III, do not wait. Evidence can disappear, and your legal rights are time-sensitive. Our attorneys are available to speak with you confidentially at no cost and no obligation.
Call us now at (866) GO-SEE-SAM or visit us online at dlawgroup.com. You do not have to face this alone. Let Dordulian Law Group fight for the justice and accountability your family deserves
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