Beach Volleyball Pro Pleads Not Guilty to Child Molestation

Derek Sorensen, a professional beach volleyball player, faces a preliminary hearing in May after pleading not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of child molestation and two felony counts for failing to register as a sex offender and failing to file a required change of address, according to District attorney spokeswoman Shiara Davila-Morales.

According to the Manhattan Beach Police Department, Sorensen, who lives in Redondo Beach, was arrested March 13 in connection with the harassment of a 14-year-old Mira Costa High School student as she waited for a parent to pick her up after school near the intersection of Peck and Nelson avenues. Sorensen pleaded not guilty to the charges on March 15.

The student gave police a description of the man and the vehicle he was driving, including a license plate number, said Stephanie Martin, Manhattan Beach Police Department public information officer.

Police said the girl recounted how the man had made her feel uncomfortable when he stared at her on two separate occasions.

According to Manhattan Beach Detective Sgt. Paul Ford, Sorensen was previously arrested in 2005 near Mira Costa High School in an indecent exposure case.

Sorensen played in volleyball tournaments in Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach in 2012, according to a USA Beach Ranking website. 

A preliminary hearing on the charges is set for May 24 in a Torrance courtroom.

• Related: Previous Sex Offender Arrested
• Related: Investigation of Registered Sex Offender Continues