Former Morgan Hill YMCA camp counselor denied bail, facing multiple child molestation charges
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- A Gilroy man accused of sexually assaulting three 10-year-old girls while working as a YMCA camp counselor was denied bail Friday by a South Bay judge after prosecutors argued he posed a danger to the community.
Anthony Ramon, 25, was arraigned Friday on three counts of committing lewd acts with a child under 14, according to court proceedings.
Court documents allege Ramon touched three girls in the bathing suit area while serving as their YMCA camp counselor during a field trip to the Morgan Hill Aquatics Center on June 30.
Family members of Ramon and the alleged victims were present in court as he was taken into custody.
Prosecutors welcomed the court's decision to hold Ramon without bail.
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"We are very grateful Judge Scott decided to remand the defendant and hold him without bail. But the fact that it took the fourth court appearance is extremely frustrating and, frankly, defies all logic," said Santa Clara County Assistant District Attorney Terry Harman.
Ramon's attorney emphasized that the ruling was not a determination of guilt.
"It does not mean that my client has been found guilty of any crime. It does not mean that there has been probable cause to establish that he had committed these crimes. It's only a finding that is made that's required so that it can be later reviewed by an appellate court," William Pernik said.
The judge's ruling came after Ramon had previously posted bail three times following allegations from each of the three alleged victims.
Morgan Hill police arrested Ramon on July 9 after learning that he allegedly had sexually touched a 10-year-old girl in the pool. He was released after posting $100,000 bail.
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Police arrested him again on July 16 after another 10-year-old girl reported being touched in the pool during the same field trip. Prosecutors asked that he be held without bail, but a judge set bail at $200,000, and Ramon was released again.
A third 10-year-old girl then came forward, alleging Ramon had sexually touched her in the pool during the same trip. He was arrested on July 27. Prosecutors again asked for no bail, but a judge set bail at $50,000.
Bail totaled $350,000, and his grandmother's home was offered as collateral.
During the hearing, prosecutors argued Ramon was a threat to public safety and cited what they described as new findings from investigators.
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"There have been preliminary findings of child pornography. And the judge seemed to highlight that as a strong factor for public safety in this case," said Santa Clara County Deputy DA Montana Musso.
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Ramon was employed by the YMCA of Silicon Valley since 2024. The organization placed him on leave after his first arrest and has cooperated with investigators throughout the case, police said.
The YMCA said it remains committed to the safety of children in its care.
Both prosecutors and the defense criticized aspects of the proceedings, though for different reasons.
"The only reason bail is denied is because of the publicly funded agency, supposedly who does not have enough resources, to report hypothetical future violations of the law. I think that's totally unacceptable," Pernik said.
Prosecutors argued the court should have ordered Ramon held earlier in the case.
"The scales of justice are very real, and they have to be balanced. But this pendulum has swung completely too far. This was a no brainer. He should have been remanded at the first court date," Harman said.
A preliminary examination is scheduled to begin for Ramon. His next court date is Sept. 21. He faces life in prison if convicted of the felony charges.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
