GLENDALE, AZ — The head football coach at Mountain Ridge High School has been arrested on suspicion of luring a minor for sex, according to Maricopa County Sheriff's Office booking records.
Deer Valley Unified School District officials informed parents Sunday that Vincent Ciliberti, 35, was arrested Friday by police.
According to official documents, he was communicating with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old boy on a messaging app.
Ciliberti reportedy mentioned that he wanted a sexual relationship with the “teen” and went to a location in Mesa to meet with the boy. Instead, he was met at that location by officers who arrested him.
According to police, there is no indication that Ciliberti has had any physical contact with a minor.
Officials say Ciliberti has coached football at the school for a year and a half.
According to documents, he's a full-time high school teacher, as well as the youth football and track coach.
"His access to children is a danger to the community," the documents say.
District officials sent a letter to parents on Sunday stating in part:
"The police investigation is ongoing, and we are cooperating fully with investigators. DVUSD Human Resources is following all legal procedures during this investigation. This staff member passed all of the required background checks during the hiring process including the fingerprint clearance check. We do not have any additional information at this time."
Police say Ciliberti was charged with one count of luring a minor for sexual exploitation and one count of attempted sexual conduct with a minor, both of which are class three felonies.
If you have additional information, you are asked to contact the Tempe Police Department.
