OCALA, Fla. – A 64-year-old Ocala boxing coach is behind bars after detectives say he sexually abused a juvenile student for months at multiple locations across Marion County, including two local boxing gyms, a hotel, his home, and inside his vehicle.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes unit arrested Juan Carlos Quintero-Barrios on July 6, 2026, on charges of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation and eight counts of Lewd or Lascivious Battery on a Victim Between 12 and 16 Years of Age. He remains in the Marion County Jail without bond.
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How the investigation began
Deputies first responded on June 10, 2026, to 4 Kings Boxing Gym on West Highway 40 after the victim came forward with allegations of repeated sexual battery that she said began in September 2025.
According to the arrest affidavit, the victim had been a student at Doghouse Boxing Gym for approximately two years before Quintero-Barrios became her coach. She told investigators the abuse happened at several locations, including Doghouse Boxing Gym on NE Jacksonville Road, 4 Kings Boxing Gym on West Highway 40, a hotel room, his personal vehicle, and his Ocala residence.
The victim told investigators that Quintero-Barrios repeatedly warned her that bad things would happen to them both if she told anyone about the abuse.
Forensic interview and hotel evidence
On July 1, 2026, the victim completed a forensic interview at Kimberly’s Center. During that interview, she provided detailed accounts of the abuse across multiple locations and incidents.
As part of the investigation, Detective Elliott visited hotels along West Highway 40. At the Economy Inn, records showed Quintero-Barrios paid cash for hotel rooms on four separate occasions: Nov. 14-15, Nov. 21-22 and Nov. 26-27, 2025, and Jan. 12-13, 2026. Receipts tied to those stays were later used to confront him during a formal interview.
The Sheriff’s Office also noted that the Internet Crimes Against Children task force had previously received multiple anonymous complaints about Quintero-Barrios having inappropriate conduct with children.
Suspect confronted, admits to hotel visits
Detectives conducted a controlled phone call with the victim before bringing Quintero-Barrios in for an interview. During the call, he berated the victim and questioned why she would make allegations after he had helped her, but he did not make any incriminating statements.
On July 6, 2026, Quintero-Barrios agreed to meet with Detective Elliott at the Sheriff’s Office. He described himself as the victim’s coach and called her a “troublemaker.” When confronted with the sexual battery allegations and hotel receipts, he denied the abuse.
Quintero-Barrios was then confronted with evidence that the hotel receipts were tied to him directly. He became agitated and admitted he uses hotel rooms to cheat on his wife, but refused to identify the woman involved. He was placed under arrest at that point and transported to the Marion County Jail.
Detectives believe there may be more victims
Based on the nature of the investigation and Quintero-Barrios’s role as a coach working with children, detectives believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Zachary Elliott at (352) 671-3847.