Livingston coach arrested for possessing child sex abuse material, deputies say

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Livingston school employee's arrest on suspicion of possessing child sexual abuse material is prompting concern among residents in the North Valley community.

The Merced County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of 21-year-old Daniel Lucatero-Bucio, a track and field coach at Livingston Middle School, on Tuesday. Authorities say he was arrested for possession of child sexual abuse material.

"There's some sick folks out there, really sick folks. We see it all the time on the news, but you never think it would pop up in a place like Livingston. This is a small town, you know," said one Livingston man, who wished not go on camera.

Lucatero-Bucio is originally from Delhi and was working as a coach at the middle school.

He was taken into custody on April 24, about 15 miles away at Stanislaus State, where he is pursuing a degree in education.

Local residents expressed shock and sadness following news of the arrest.

"That's embarrassing, got to be for the family too. It's just sad, that's what it is. It's just sad," the Livingston man said.

The case has led some community members to question how Lucatero-Bucio was able to work closely with children and whether enough screening is done for those in teaching and coaching roles.

"That's kinda scary. It seems like they don't do enough screening to find out about people that are teaching our children," Livingston resident Britt Verdugo said.

Livingston Middle School and the Livingston Union School District declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

Investigators say cases like this often stem from lengthy, multi-agency operations. According to the Merced County Sheriff's Office, the investigation began after a cyber tip was received earlier this year.

"In March of 2026, the Merced County Sheriff's Office investigations bureau received a cyber tip from NCMIC, the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children."

Authorities say that tip led detectives to examine Lucatero-Bucio's online activity. Detective Jose Sanchez said without the tip, the alleged crimes might not have been detected.

"Once the reports have been finished, and the investigation has ended, the entire file will be sent over the Merced County District Attorney's Office."

The Merced County Sheriff's Office said initial reports do not show that any of the victims in the case are students at Livingston Middle School.