Police learned of the sexual abuse after the suspect was lured to a Rodeo park and beaten by friends of two victims.

RICHMOND — A former El Sobrante church youth group leader has been sentenced to eight years and eight months in state prison through a plea deal that came just as his trial was getting ready to start.

Ayden Pacheco, 20, pleaded no contest to nine charges, including false imprisonment, sexual battery, oral copulation of a minor, unlawful sexual intercourse and sexual penetration of a person under 18, court records show. In exchange, Contra Costa prosecutors dropped more serious charges of forcible rape and assault likely to produce great bodily injury.