Two San Jose teachers arrested for incidents involving female students
(KRON) — Two adult male teachers were arrested last week in connection to incidents involving female students at the schools they taught at, according to the San Jose Police Department. The incidents occurred independently of one another.
Teacher who allegedly exchanged inappropriate messages with female student arrested
A 28-year-old teacher has been arrested and charged with annoying or molesting a minor, according to San Jose PD. Giovanny La Torre, a San Jose resident who teaches at ACE Empower Academy, was arrested on connection to an incident that occurred last year.
Golden Gate Bridge toll increase approved, goes into effect this summer
San Jose PD patrol officers responded at around 5:52 p.m. on Dec. 13, 2023, to the 600 block of South Sunset Avenue on a report of a man annoying or molesting a girl. The man was identified as a teacher at the school where the girl was a student.
An investigation was launched by detectives with the SJPD Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The investigation identified LaTorre as the suspect and determined that he had exchanged inappropriate electronic and handwritten communications with the juvenile student.
Detectives located and arrested LaTorre in the City of San Jose on March 20. He was booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail on charges of annoying or molesting a minor, police said.
KRON4 has reached out to ACE Empower Academy for comment and received a statement that read in part:
“At ACE, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our students above all else. We received a report about unprofessional behavior/communication by one of our employees, and we took swift action to ensure that our students remained safe.”
“We immediately removed the employee from our campus and placed them on administrative leave. On the same day, we contacted the police to conduct a full and impartial investigation. We also reported the incident to all other local agencies involved in the protection of children.”
“We have been informed that the police have made an arrest in relation to this incident. We want to reassure you that no ACE students were physically harmed in any way.”
Teacher arrested for alleged sexual assault of student two decades back
In an unconnected incident, a 56-year-old Los Gatos man was arrested in connection to a delayed report involving the sexual assault of a minor between 2002 and 2003. The suspect, Shawn Thomas, was a teacher at Leigh High School at the time of the alleged assault.
As in the first case, the victim was a juvenile female student at the school.
Thomas was arrested on March 22 in the City of San Jose. He was booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail for rape and sexual assault of a minor. At the time of his arrest, he was working as a teacher at Leigh High and a football and track and field coach at Los Gatos High School.
KRON4 also reached out to Leigh High School for comment and received a statement that read in part:
“On Friday, March 22, 2024, Leigh High School and Campbell Union High School District were made aware that teacher Shawn Thomas was arrested by the San Jose Police Department for allegations of misconduct reported to have taken place approximately twenty years ago. The District is actively cooperating with the investigation. The teacher has been placed on administrative leave and directed not to have student or staff contact of any kind.”
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
