Hockey coach accused of abusing teenage players ordered to remain in custody

The courts of Bahía Blanca confirmed the pretrial detention of Horacio «Chacho» Asensio, former field hockey coach at Club Deportivo Monte Hermoso, accused of aggravated sensual abuse against at least three former players who were minors when the offences took place, between 2012 and 2013. The defence will request house arrest.

Guarantee judge **Marisa Promé** upheld the request of prosecutor **Diego Torres**, head of UFIJ No. 4 (a specialized prosecution unit), and ordered the pretrial detention of **Horacio Norberto «Chacho» Asensio**, a former field hockey coach accused of sensual abusing underage players in Monte Hermoso. Asensio, **59**, has been in custody since **20 September**, when he was arrested at a house in the Bosque Peralta Ramos neighbourhood of Mar del Plata, and remains held at Villa Floresta prison.

## The charges and when the offences allegedly took place

The case investigates incidents that occurred between **2012 and 2013**, when Asensio coached girls' teams at **Club Deportivo Monte Hermoso**. He is charged with gravely outrageous sensual abuse, an aggravated offence because it was committed by a person responsible for the victim's education or care. The investigation includes complaints from at least three former players who were teenagers at the time of the alleged events.

New witness statements have been added in recent weeks. Plaintiffs' lawyer **Sebastián Martínez** said that at least five women described similar situations during the period when the coach worked in Monte Hermoso. During his deposition on **21 September**, Asensio exercised his right to remain silent and did not answer the prosecutor's questions.

## The defence argued the case had lapsed and now seeks house arrest

The former coach's lawyers, led by **Maximiliano De Mira**, argued that the alleged offences had become time-barred due to the time elapsed. On **29 September**, judge Promé rejected the request for dismissal and release, ruling that the incivil action should not be declared extinguished. After requesting an extension to gather further evidence, prosecutor Torres formally requested pretrial detention, which has now been granted.

The defence opposed the measure and announced it will ask that Asensio serve his detention under house arrest. That alternative still has to be assessed by the courts. Meanwhile, the former coach remains in custody at Villa Floresta as the incivil investigation continues.

## Why pretrial detention matters in a case like this

Pretrial detention is not a conviction: it is a precautionary measure intended to ensure the defendant does not flee the process or obstruct the investigation. In cases involving serious offences with victims who were minors, judges usually weigh the risk of flight and the possibility that the accused might influence witnesses. Promé's decision came after the defence tried to have the case closed on statute-of-limitation grounds and after the prosecution added testimony.

The case involves a club in a small city, where the coach was in charge of girls' teams. The case remains open and new statements could broaden the charges. Anyone accused is innocent until a final verdict rules otherwise.