RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A teacher from John W. North High School and previously at University Heights Middle School has been arrested for inappropriate contact with a female student.
The investigation began in February 2019, when a juvenile female student from John W. North High School reported receiving inappropriate text messages from her teacher. School officials notified the Riverside Police School Resource Officer. Together the school, tye school resource officer, and the Riverside Police Department’s Sexual Assault – Child Abuse Unit (SACA) developed information leading them to ten additional victims. The victims confirmed that they received similar inappropriate text messages from the teacher, some even reporting unwanted touching by the teacher.
On Wednesday, April 10, 2019, Frank Garcia, 49, of Fontana, was located in the City of Pasadena. He was booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center for 11 counts of Annoying or Molesting a Child Under the Age of 18. Police officials said that in addition to teaching at local Middle and High Schools, he also had interacted with youth through school clubs, and was a homeschool teacher and tutor for students with special needs in the past.
“We are shocked and disappointed by these allegations made against an RUSD staff member” the Riverside Unified School District stated in an official statement. “When District officials first learned of the allegations, Mr. Garcia was immediately placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, and has not been allowed back to the school since. RUSD will continue to work with RPD as the investigation unfolds.”
Detectives believe there could be additional victims who have not yet come forward connected to Frank Garcia. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call School Resource Officer Nick Cantino at (951) 826-5638 or ncantino@riversideca.gov, or Detective Paul Miranda at (951) 353-7945 or pmiranda@riversideca.gov.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can email rpdtips@riversideca.gov or utilize the Riverside Police Department’s mobile app “Submit a Tip” feature while referencing report number 190004200.
