Newly-obtained police records indicate that 43-year-old David Edward Castillo, who is being charged with one count of sexual abuse in Camp Verde, had previously been investigated by Prescott Valley police in 2018.
A 19-page police report states that Prescott Valley Police Department detectives were called on Sept. 4, 2018, to investigate suspicious activity and a “possible delayed sex offense” involving an alleged 12-year-old victim.
Two PVPD detectives interviewed Castillo, the reported victim and family members. According the report, Castillo told detectives that relatives of the alleged victim had notified Camp Verde High School.
On Sept. 11, 2018, the PVPD detective called Camp Verde High School Principal Mark Showers about Castillo.
“I asked him how long he had known David; he stated it’s been nine to 10 years. Mark said that David has been involved with coaching at the schools and providing physical therapy to the students over this time period,” the detective’s statement read. “I asked if he was ever aware of any allegations about David from students, parents or other source; he said ‘No, never.’ Mark said that David has a very good reputation in the community, and that the students and parents appreciate what he does.”
Police ultimately recommended charges of simple assault, but on Oct. 17, 2018, Carol D. Kennedy, with then-Yavapai County Attorney Shelia Polk’s office, declined to prosecute, citing no physical evidence, no witnesses and Castillo’s denial.
On Nov. 13, 2023, the Camp Verde Marshal’s Office reportedly received an allegation of possible sexual abuse of a juvenile and later took Castillo into custody, according to a CVMO Facebook post made on Nov. 30. Castillo was held in the Yavapai County Detention Center in Camp Verde on a $75,000 bond and was arraigned on Monday, Dec. 4, in the Verde Valley Justice Court.
After the arrest, Camp Verde Unified School District Superintendent Steve Hicks issued a statement, posted to the CVUSD website:
“I am writing to inform you that David Castillo, former head boys and girls cross-country coach at Camp Verde High School, has been arrested for inappropriate physical contact with a minor.
Upon receiving a report of the alleged conduct, the Camp Verde Unified School District immediately contacted local law enforcement. The alleged incident did not take place on school grounds.
Due to the ongoing investigation, we cannot share further details at this time.
Mr. Castillo has been informed that he will not be allowed on school property and will be prohibited from contacting students. We will continue to fully cooperate with the police investigation.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is asked to call the Camp Verde Marshal’s Office at (928) 554-8300. Our focus is on the safety and wellbeing of our students. If any students need additional support at this time, we encourage them to speak with a school counselor at any time. They are here to assist.”
Due to the nature of the allegations, the CVMO stated in a Nov. 30 post on Facebook that detectives will continue researching potential victims from Castillo’s past and will be reviewing the past 10 years of his career.
Castillo is a licensed physical therapist and former coach of the Camp Verde High School cross country teams and youth club soccer teams.
