SAUSD choir teacher arrested for allegedly having an illicit relationship with a teenager

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November 16, 2024— Santa Ana Police have arrested a 37-year-old high school choir teacher on charges of sexual assault involving her student.

On November 15, 2024, at approximately 6 p.m., Santa Ana Police Officers responded to Santa Ana High School regarding a report of a student involved in an inappropriate relationship with a teacher.

Upon contact, the victim, a 17-year-old senior, reported that he had been having sexual relations with his choir teacher for approximately six months. The suspect was identified as Yessenia Navarro Garcia (37) of Orange. Garcia has been employed by Santa Ana High School for approximately five years as a full-time choir teacher.

During the investigation, the victim texted Garcia to meet at a location in Santa Ana, and upon her arrival, she was taken into custody by officers. Garcia admitted to all of the sexual acts that the victim reported. Garcia was booked at the Santa Ana Jail on several sexual assault-related charges, and her bail was set at $100,000.00.

Detectives believe there could be additional victims or witnesses to the crime. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective M. Tapia at 714-245-8379, mtapia@santa-ana.org, or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

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Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions.

When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.