The Eyrie

GARLAND, TX — A longtime youth boxing program supported by Garland police has been temporarily shut down after one of its instructors was arrested on child sexual abuse charges. Police identified the instructor as Argie Santos and said he is not a Garland police officer.

Investigators are now concerned there could be other people who had inappropriate contact with Santos. Law enforcement sources said the person who came forward was not connected to the Garland Police Boxing Gym, but officers are encouraging parents whose children were enrolled in the program to talk with them about any troubling contact.

Police urge families to ask children about any contact with Santos

Garland police are asking parents to check in with children who participated in the gym’s programs. The guidance comes as investigators try to determine whether anyone else may have been affected.

The concern is not limited to the initial accusation. Police have said they want to hear from anyone who believes they may have information about Santos or possible inappropriate contact involving him. No additional details about the allegations have been released yet, and police said more information will come later.

Santos remains in the Garland City Detention Center. Authorities have not publicly described the full scope of the case, but they have made clear the investigation is continuing.

A program created to steer at-risk kids toward discipline and opportunity

The Garland Police Boxing Gym opened in 1995 as an effort to give children from troubled homes a positive outlet. The idea came from now-retired officer David Swavey, who helped build the program around boxing, mentorship and discipline.

Swavey said officers working the streets could see how many young people needed guidance. The gym was designed to offer that support in a structured setting outside of school hours.

Over more than three decades, the program has reached an estimated 10,000 children. Its purpose has been to build skills, confidence and routine while keeping kids engaged in a safe community space.

The gym’s long history made it a visible part of community outreach

For years, the boxing gym has stood out as one of Garland police’s better-known youth outreach efforts. The program has relied on coaching and mentoring from officers and civilians who worked with children outside the classroom.

That role made the gym a familiar place for families looking for support and structure. CBS News Texas previously highlighted the work being done there to help children learn both athletic skills and life lessons.

Now, the same program is under review because of the accusations against Santos. Police have not said how long the shutdown will last, only that the gym is closed temporarily while the case develops.

Authorities have not said when the gym will reopen

At this point, Garland police have not announced a reopening timeline for the boxing gym. The temporary closure suggests officials want to protect children and preserve the integrity of the investigation while questions remain.

Police also have not released further information about whether any additional charges could follow. They said more details will be made public later, but for now the focus remains on the arrest and on reaching out to families who may be able to provide information.

The case has put a longtime community program in an uncertain position, even as investigators work to understand the extent of Santos’s alleged conduct.

What parents and program families should know right now

Officials are urging families connected to the gym to stay alert and communicate openly with their children. Because investigators are worried there may be other accusers, police want parents to ask direct questions about any contact that seemed inappropriate or uncomfortable.

Authorities have not said the initial accuser was part of the boxing gym, but they are treating the case seriously enough to warn the broader community. For now, Santos remains jailed in Garland while police continue gathering information.

The gym’s future will likely depend on what the investigation uncovers. Until then, one of Garland’s longest-running youth programs is closed, and families are being asked to help investigators determine whether anyone else may have been affected.