TURLOCK — A former Modesto youth soccer coach who admitted possessing hundreds of images of child sexual assault material and using social media to solicit sex acts from minors was sentenced Friday to five years and eight months in state prison, the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Matthew Paez, 33, of Turlock, pleaded guilty to possessing more than 600 images of child sexual assault material, contacting a minor with the intent to engage in sex acts, distributing sexual images of himself to a minor and other related charges. He will be required to register as a sex offender upon release.

The investigation began in June 2025, when the Turlock Police Department received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reporting that child sexual abuse images were being uploaded from electronic devices in Turlock. Detectives traced the uploads to Paez and later obtained a warrant to seize his digital devices.

Investigators found more than 600 illicit images. According to prosecutors, Paez admitted he “had a problem” with viewing child sexual assault material and acknowledged possessing the images. A deeper review of his online activity showed he used social media platforms to contact children under 14, solicit sex acts and send them sexual images.

Paez was arrested last July at a home in the 400 block of Meandering Lane. At the time, he was employed as a youth soccer coach in Modesto, though investigators have not indicated that any players were directly involved in the case.

Paez was initially booked on suspicion of possession of child pornography and distribution of obscene material involving a minor.

Deputy District Attorney Sara Sousa prosecuted the case.

In announcing the conviction, the District Attorney’s Office urged parents to remain vigilant about online safety, noting a rise in predators using social media to contact and groom children. Resources for families are available through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.