Former Vista counselor, coach sentenced to 10 years for sex acts with minor student

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A former Vista Unified School District counselor, Carlsbad water polo coach and Encinitas lifeguard was sentenced to a decade behind bars on Monday after pleading guilty to sex acts with one of his former students.

The victim’s family spoke out in court for the first time, saying something like this should never happen, especially from someone they trust at a school.

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The conviction came during a plea deal after Connor Chanove was found in a car with a 13-year-old student with his pants down. Chanove was 27 at the time of the incident last November. The victim was one of his 8th grade students.

The victim’s grandmother and mother gave the victim emotional impact statements in court, saying the victim was fun, lively and outgoing, and is now depressed and even suicidal.

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“School is supposed to be a safe place for children,” the victim’s grandmother said.

They also detailed more about what led up to the two of them meeting outside of school in November.

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“After months of grooming her, that day, the first day of Thanksgiving break, you took a 13-year-old student from her home, you lured her to a swim in the pool, her favorite restaurant to eat at, a walk in the park, and then you gave this innocent 13-year-old girl alcohol, and lured her into the backseat of your car where you would forever change her life,” the victim’s mother said.

Chanove was sentenced on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, to 10 years behind bars on four felony counts. He is now required to register as a sex offender.

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“You were a person of trust and authority,” victim’s mother added.

Chanove was arrested on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, and did not have any prior criminal history.

The Vista Unified School District said in a statement after his arrest, in part, “We are appalled by the thought that someone trusted to work with our children would betray their trust and innocence. Please be assured that this adult will not be on any campus in the District…”

Chanove was also a girls water polo coach for the all-girls Seaside Water Polo Club based in Carlsbad, and was a lifeguard for Carlsbad and Encinitas.

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