NYC Volleyball Coach Edgar Lazaro Castillo, Accused of Sexually Exploiting Teen Athletes Since 2010

NYC Volleyball Coach Edgar Castillo Accused of Sexually Exploiting Teen Athletes

The FBI is searching for a New York City volleyball coach accused of sexually exploiting players for potentially more than 15 years — and agents now believe the accused man has already fled the United States.

The suspect, identified by the bureau as Edgar Lazaro Castillo, 36, was named in a public alert issued Monday by the FBI's New York field office, which allegedly described him as a former coach "involved in the sexual exploitation of minors." During a phone call with parents of players from the NYC Impact Volleyball Club this week, agents told families that Castillo is believed to have left the country, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Coach Had Access to Young Players Across Multiple Schools and Clubs

Castillo, who reportedly goes by Edgar Lazaro and was originally from Mexico before growing up in the Bronx, coached at Impact Volleyball Club for roughly 10 years. He also had stints at John Jay College for Criminal Justice and at Xavier, a private all-boys Catholic school, both in Manhattan.
The FBI said it believes he "primarily targeted minors who participated in volleyball leagues between the timeframe of 2010 and March 2026 in multiple states, primarily New York City." The US attorney's office in Brooklyn is conducting a parallel investigation alongside the bureau, which declined to comment on whether Castillo has been formally charged with any crimes.

Volleyball Coach Accused of Inappropriately Touching Kids on Team

The federal probe was triggered after a player recently filed a complaint alleging that Castillo assaulted them during a tournament in Boston in March. It was not the first time his conduct had raised serious alarm. Sources said he was fired from the Legacy Volleyball Club in 2014 after claims surfaced that he was acting inappropriately with players on the team. "He was texting them and communicating with them on social media, which is a no-no," said a fellow coach who asked not to be named. "When this thing broke on the FBI, parents, coaches, refs and kids have been blowing up social media and the phone lines talking about him."

FBI Offers Counseling to Families and Calls for More Victims to Come Forward

During a Tuesday call with Impact parents, the FBI offered counseling services and gave families the names of agents on the case to contact directly. The bureau has also published an online victims questionnaire asking whether individuals had contact with Castillo through Snapchat or Instagram, whether they exchanged sexual images or videos with him, and whether he ever sent them money and through which platform. Neither Impact nor Legacy Volleyball Club responded to requests for comment. The Garden Empire Volleyball Association, which oversees local clubs in the region, also did not respond. Castillo himself could not be reached.

Victims or parents of victims can submit information to the FBI through its official online form at forms.fbi.gov.

The factual information above was sourced from nypost.com as of June 4, 2026.

The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.

What Are Your Legal Options If You Were Sexually Abused by a Volleyball Coach?

When a coach abuses their position of trust to sexually exploit a young athlete, the harm can last a lifetime. But many survivors and their families are unaware of the full range of legal options available to them — or they assume that without a criminal conviction, civil accountability is out of reach. We sat down with Thomas Giuffra, a seasoned New York sexual abuse attorney, to walk through what survivors can do, who can be held responsible, and why acting sooner rather than later matters.

Q: Can victims file a civil lawsuit even if criminal charges are still pending or the abuser has fled the country?

A: Absolutely. Criminal and civil cases are entirely separate. A victim does not need to wait for a criminal conviction — or even an arrest — to move forward with a civil claim. The civil standard of proof is lower than in criminal court, and a lawsuit can proceed regardless of where the accused is located.

Q: Who can be held legally responsible beyond the individual coach?

A: This is where civil law can be particularly powerful for survivors. Beyond the abuser himself, organizations such as sports clubs, schools, and governing associations may also bear legal responsibility if they knew or should have known about the misconduct and failed to act. If warning signs were ignored or complaints were mishandled, those institutions can potentially be named as defendants.

Q: New York's Child Victims Act gave survivors expanded rights. Does that still apply here?

A: New York has made significant strides in protecting survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The Adult Survivors Act and the Child Victims Act opened windows that allowed people to bring claims that would previously have been time-barred. While those specific lookback windows have closed, New York law still gives survivors of childhood sexual abuse an extended period to file civil claims — in many cases until age 55, and in some circumstances longer. Anyone who was abused as a minor should speak with an attorney as soon as possible to understand where they stand.

Q: What should a victim or their family do right now?

A: The first step is to contact law enforcement and cooperate with any ongoing investigation. At the same time, I would strongly encourage victims and their families to consult with a civil attorney who handles sexual abuse cases. Evidence can disappear, memories fade, and statutes of limitations do run out. The sooner someone gets legal guidance, the better positioned they are to understand all of their options — both for accountability and for compensation for the harm they suffered.

You Don't Have to Face This Alone — Call Us Today for a Free Consultation

If you or someone you love was sexually abused by a coach, you may have more legal options than you realize — and time is not on your side. Statutes of limitations can cut off your right to file a claim, and the sooner you act, the stronger your case can be. Attorneys fight for survivors of sexual abuse and hold institutions accountable when they look the other way. Call us today and we will connect you with an experienced attorney for a free, confidential consultation. There is no obligation, no upfront cost, and nothing to lose — only answers to the questions that may have been weighing on you for far too long.