Honk News (Coachella, CA) – A Coachella Valley Unified School District employee was arrested in Coachella on Friday for allegedly sexually assaulting a student.
In December, deputies began looking into Mario Valenzuela, 42, from Coachella. The school administration was informed by the victim that inappropriate touching had occurred, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Valenzuela is identified as a special education specialist at Coachella Valley High School. At approximately 7 p.m., the district issued a statement confirming that a CVUSD employee is part of an investigation by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
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The district typically refrains from discussing personnel issues or ongoing investigations. “A brief response is warranted, as the media has requested information regarding the investigation,” the release states. We are continuing our collaboration with the Riverside County Sheriffs… We want to emphasize that inappropriate behavior is not acceptable in our District, and ensuring the safety of our students and staff is our top priority.
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Authorities took Valenzuela into custody on Friday afternoon in the 49-000 block of Pluma Roja Place. The Sheriff’s Department reported that he has been booked at the John Benoit Detention Center and is facing charges related to lewd acts with a minor.
He is set to appear in court on March 20 at 7:30 a.m. and has posted $10,000 bail, according to jail records.