A South Bay gym owner and personal trainer has been arrested on multiple charges, including sexual assault and child molestation, police said.
David Wolfsmith, who operated Wolf Pak in downtown Morgan Hill, was arrested in front of his gym at 4:14 p.m. Monday. Wolfsmith has been booked into Santa Clara County Jail on 10 sexual assault-related charges. Police said the charges include annoying or molesting a child, sexual battery by fraud and lewd and lascivious act on a child.
Morgan Hill police investigated Wolfsmith for nearly two months. So far, invetigators know of five alleged victims -- three adults and two minors. The alleged victims claim the assaults happened anywhere from 2013 to 2015, police said.
NBC Bay Area late Monday interviewed three women who claim they are victims in the case. Two of the women, who all did not want to be identified, said they are pressing charges.
"It's all about control, it's all about manipulation, but I feel very grateful I was able to spot it," an alleged victim said.
Another alleged victim recalled the culture Wolfsmith tried to instill in them by training seven days a week. The woman said Wolfsmith told his clients they need to do what he said and that he knew what was best for them.
The alleged victims said Wolfsmith's gym trained athletes for triathlons, running and biking. It was intense and demanding, but the women said he turned controlling and secretive.
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"He didn't want us having coffee with each other, talking with each other, building friendships," an alleged victim said. "He would separate us if he thought you were getting too close to somebody."
Police said the culture of intense training meant Wolfsmith was in a position of power.
"There's something that goes off in your mind that says, 'Hey, this isn't right.' And that point you need to break away from that training or come to Morgan Hill Police Department, or whatever police department is associated with your city and talk to somebody," Morgan Hill Police Sgt. Carson Thomas said.
There is relief among the three women who spoke to NBC Bay Area that the stories are coming out. The women and police are hoping other victims will come forward.
"There's people that I got to know. And you start sharing sharing like stores and here we are today," an alleged victim said.
Police said Wolfsmith served as a cross country coach at Sobrato High School in Morgan Hill in 2009. Investigators are also looking into Wolfsmith's time at the school.
An investigation is ongoing.
Anyone who has information concerning the case is asked to contact Detective Pevehouse at 1-669-253-4914.
