Robert John Bergner: Former Coach Facing 100-Plus Felony Counts Of Child Sex Crimes — How Does That Happen?


Robert John Bergner, a man facing over 100 felony counts of child sex crimes, was reported by a victim who says she’s been assaulted by Bergner since she was 12. She’s now 18.

Bergner — from Nipomo, California — was arrested at his home on the 900 block of Primavera Lane after officers received a call about possible child molestation. The victim claims to have been forced into sexual situations by Robert for the last six years, up until May 2015. In a latter part of the article, you’ll find out how he molested her for so long.

The San Luis Obispo Tribute reports that the sheriff’s office received the call on Tuesday, July 21, 2015. Once the office opened an investigation, its Sex Crimes division went to Bergner’s residence and arrested him on the following suspicions:

  • Sexual penetration of a minor under 14 with a foreign object
  • Continuous sexual abuse of a child
  • Oral copulation with a person under 18
  • Rape by force or fear

Since Robert John Bergner’s arrest, he’s been held at San Luis Obispo County Jail — bail set at $1 million. However, as reports KEYT-3 News, his July 24 arraignment brought on several more counts. The medium quotes as follows.

“Counts 1 and 2 of the complaint allege Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, Counts 3 & 4 allege Forcible Lewd Act on a Child, Count 5 alleges Sodomy of a Victim aged 14 to 17, Counts 6 through 77 allege Child Molest, Counts 78 through 101 allege Unlawful Intercourse with a Minor under 16 Years of Age, Counts 102 through 125 allege Unlawful Intercourse with a Minor More Than 3 Years Younger Than the Perpetrator, and Count 126 alleges Possession of Child Pornography.”

Though those are 126 felony charges, Bergner’s arraignment isn’t finished. It’s set to continue on July 28, 2015.

Robert John Bergner - Former Coach Facing 100-Plus Felony Counts Of Child Sex Offenses — How Does That Happen - Small
Credits: Twitter

Robert, 51, is a former, local coach of a South County recreational softball team for girls 12-and-under, as notes San Luis Obispo Tribute. Yet, when his name came up about the child sex allegations, none of the various leagues seemed to recognized his name.

Robert John Bergner - Former Coach Facing 100-Plus Felony Counts Of Child Sex Offenses — How Does That Happen - Nipomo Youth Softball League
Credits: Nipomo Youth Softball League

As the medium notes, six administrators from the Nipomo Youth Softball League — the league from which Bergner coached — were contacted via email and phone. However, none have returned communications.

Yet, how could such a heinous set of crimes go unnoticed for so long? Well, in a California Coast News exclusive, Robert Bergner’s victim‘s biological parents spoke on the issue

It seems that the victim was actually placed in foster care, and Bergner was the foster parent. At 12 years of age, the victim was taken from Richard and Elizabeth Carroll. According to the parents, they kept track on her, as well as the other two siblings who were also taken. The parents weren’t able to take care of their family at the time. Elizabeth offered the news medium this statement.

“I couldn’t protect my children because I was homeless. And then they put them in a house with this monster.”

Family members say that he showered her with expensive gifts for years. However, when she attempted to tell her foster mother about what was going on, she and Robert scolded her, and they took away the expensive gifts — including a new car.

According to the news source, the victim is now staying with friends.

What are your thoughts about Robert John Bergner? How many other charges could possibly be added to his felony counts in the continuation? Would the lavish gifts be counted as bribery for child sex acts? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, below.

[Photo Credits: Twitter]

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