A teacher in California has been arrested after being discovered in a teenage girl’s bedroom, according to authorities.
Patrick John Mester, 65, faces serious allegations involving two counts related to inappropriate meetings and actions with a minor aged 14 or 15, as reported by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.
The individual in question faced arrest in 2021, which led to the immediate loss of his position as an educator at James C. Enochs High School in Modesto, a sizable city located about 80 miles west of Oakland.
The inquiry into the crime extended significantly beyond the expected timeframe.
On Wednesday, the Special Victim’s Unit of the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office took action once more, apprehending the former band teacher for engaging in inappropriate conduct with a minor, as stated in a press release.
In March 2021, the defendant found themselves in a brief encounter with the Modesto Police Department, facing allegations related to inappropriate behavior towards a minor. The court established bail at $5,000, leading to Mester’s eventual release.
At that time, there were suspicions regarding his conduct or interactions with a student, as reported by The Modesto Bee. Officials have confirmed the identity of the student involved as a 16-year-old female.
In a statement issued at that time, Modesto City Schools announced that they “took swift measures to guarantee he has no contact with students and rescinded his permission to access our facilities.” This directive will remain effective as the legal proceedings unfold.
The individual in question has been part of the school district’s staff since 2003, starting their career as a music educator at another high school. Subsequently, he divided responsibilities between the two institutions. In 2008, he made a transition to Enochs. Authorities informed the publication that he successfully completed all necessary background screenings and underwent consistent training on issues related to child abuse and harassment.
Following his release on the less serious charge, Mester reportedly pursued the then-16-year-old girl once more.
Following Mester’s second arrest, the girl involved in the situation has been assisting authorities with ongoing investigations, as stated by a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office to SFGate. The spokesperson emphasized the importance of meticulously constructing serious cases over time.
The individual in question is currently held with a bail set at $650,000.
He is scheduled to make a court appearance on October 30.