The former championship wrestling coach accused of sexually assaulting his students pleaded not guilty to all charges July 7, according to Ventura County Superior Court records.
Ronald Wilson, 73, pleaded not guilty to two counts each of lewd acts upon a child, luring, sexual penetration with force, oral copulation and sodomy and one count each of arranging to meet a minor for lewd purposes, forcible rape and possession of child pornography, according to records. He also denied 38 special allegations.
During the arraignment — which came after roughly a year of continuations — defense attorney Karen Goldstein made a motion to dismiss several of the charges and special allegations due to alleged due process and speedy trial violations, court records show.
Deputy District Attorney Michael Kern opposed the motion, and Judge Catherine Voelker ultimately denied the motion, according to the docket.
Wilson was initially arrested May 13, 2025 at his Colorado home. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office alleges he initiated and maintained a sexual relationship with a juvenile female student at Camarillo High School from approximately 2014 to 2017.
Prosecutors previously said three other other alleged victims came forward after his arrest.
Wilson worked in the Oxnard Union High School District for more than 40 years. He was head wrestling coach for Camarillo High nearly 30 years until his retirement in 2020, and at Oxnard High School for 13 years before. He was inducted into the California Hall of Fame in October 2022.
Wilson’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 10.
He remains released on bond.
Makena Huey is an investigative and watchdog reporter for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at makena.huey@vcstar.com. This story was made possible by a grant from the Ventura County Community Foundation’s Fund to Support Local Journalism.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Retired wrestling coach accused of sex crimes finally enters plea
Reporting by Makena Huey, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
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By Makena Huey, Ventura County Star | USA TODAY Network
