Garland Police Boxing Gym Closes After Coach Arrest

Santos, 42, was arrested at his residence on November 11 after school personnel notified a Garland school resource officer of claims concerning a 15-year-old student. The investigation found that Santos had inappropriate sexual contact with the juvenile. The alleged assault took place at the student’s residence, and the student was not a member of the boxing gym.

Santos faced charges of child indecency through physical contact and sexual assault of a child, both second-degree felonies. He is being held at the Garland City Detention Center; his bond had not been set. Santos was not a department employee and is no longer associated with the gym.

The nonprofit gym has temporarily shut down. Garland police are urging parents whose children attended the program to ask them about possible inappropriate contact with Santos. Parents who believe their child may have been victimized are encouraged to contact the department at (972) 485-4840. More information is expected to be released later.

The gym opened in 1995 as an initiative of now-retired officer David Swavey, offering young people from troubled homes an opportunity to learn boxing skills and discipline. It has served an estimated 10,000 children over its 32-year history, with officers and civilian coaches providing mentoring outside school.