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PHOENIX - A North Phoenix teacher accused of having an inappropriate relationship with one of his students has been arrested.
According to police, Arizona Conservatory for the Arts and Academics Secondary School administrators on Jan. 2 became aware of possible inappropriate conduct between a teacher and student, and that eventually led to the suspect's arrest.
"The Phoenix Police Department encourages all parents to discuss with their children the nature of what an appropriate and inappropriate relationship with an adult looks like," police said in a statement. "Also, we continue to ask for all students and faculty involved in the educational experience of all children, to say something if something is seen or heard.
Here are the details on the case.
Who's the suspect?
Ernesto Moncada-Cota
The suspect has been identified in court documents as Ernesto Moncada-Cota, 50.
According to his page on the Arizona Conservatory for Arts and Academics Secondary Campus, he moved to the Phoenix area at some point in the early 2000s, and taught Spanish at the school.
Court documents for Moncada-Cota listed a record for prior arrest or arrests. However, contents in that portion of the document were redacted, and therefore unreadable.
What allegedly happened?
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Arizona teacher accused of sexual misconduct
The suspect reportedly taught at Arizona Conservatory for Arts and Academics Secondary Campus, and according to police, the alleged crime was reported by a parent who came forward. FOX 10's Lindsey Ragas reports.
Court documents provided a rather details description of the allegations made against Moncada-Cota.
According to investigators, Phoenix Police investigators became aware of "a report of sexual conduct with a minor" on Jan. 2. Investigators were reportedly made aware of the report after receiving an e-mail from a parent whose child had disclosed what had happened to someone else.
The alleged victim, court documents state, was later interviewed by investigators, where they said they had sexual encounters on multiple occasions. Court documents contained graphic descriptions of said encounters.
Investigators also said love letters of a sexual nature were exchanged between the alleged victim and the suspect, citing what the alleged victim said during their interview with detectives. The alleged victim also told investigators that the suspect had a "sketch book/diary" that had drawings of the alleged victim in it, as well as writings to the alleged victim and writings about the alleged victim.
Contents of the love letters mentioned above, according to court documents, were graphic.
Court documents state that a search warrant was executed on the suspect's apartment on Jan. 2, where more letters between the alleged victim and the suspect were found.
The suspect, court documents state, was then taken to Phoenix Police headquarters for an interview, where he admitted to committing sexual acts with the alleged victim.
What is the suspect accused of?
The suspect is accused of the following:
- Four counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor (A.R.S. 13-1405, which is a felony)
- Two counts of Sexual Abuse (A.R.S. 13-1404A, which is a felony)
A judge has set a cash-only $100,000 bond for Moncada-Cota. Should he make bond, he will be placed under house arrest, and, among other restrictions, banned from having any contacts with minors, and banned from accessing the internet, except as necessary for work.
What did school officials say about the matter?
School officials have referred all questions to Phoenix Police.