TORRANCE, Calif. – A 51-year-old “walk-on” coach has been banned from West High School’s campus after being arrested on suspicion of handcuffing and tying up teenage girls at his residence.

Investigators said Michael Anthony Smith reportedly tied up four girls, ages ranging from 13 to 17, on separate occasions for the past year and a half on the West High campus and his home.

Police arrested Smith after one of the alleged victims’ boyfriends reported the incidents to school officials. Authorities said at this point in the investigation, they have not discovered any sex acts that have taken place. They have, however, said the victims have reported Smith taping their mouths shut, taping up their hands and feet and handcuffing them.

Police are still questioning the girls to learn more about the incidents and why the girls participated. It is unclear what Smith’s motive was or whether or not the girls willingly went to Smith’s home.

Three of the victims were high school students and one was a middle school student.

Smith served as coach for the boys freshman basketball team, boys freshman and varsity football teams and the boys freshman-sophomore baseball team during his nine years at West High.

He has been banned from all schools in the Torrance Unified School District during the police investigation.

Once police determine what happened in the episodes, actual charges will be brought against Smith. He was arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment, sexual battery and annoying children.

Smith was released Dec. 7 after posting $50,000 bail.

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