HEMET: HHS teacher arrested, accused of molesting students

HEMET — Authorities have arrested a Hemet teacher, accused of having inappropriate relationships with his students. Sources familiar with the investigation say there were more than one victim, including some who may not yet have been identified.

Based on their investigation, officials believe there may be additional victims and have asked anyone with information to step forward.

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Officials have identified Miguel Angel Lopez-Chavez, 27, of Riverside, as the man accused of lewd acts and other crimes involving at least one student.

Chavez is a math teacher, according to officials. He also reportedly coaches soccer at Hemet High School.

Deputies assigned to the Hemet Sheriff’s Station received a tip Friday, Aug. 3, “about a possible past relationship between a Hemet High School teacher and student,” Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Ken Reichle explained the day of Chavez’s Aug. 6 arrest.

The alleged crimes occurred during the 2017-2018 school year, according to the Sgt.

Based on the circumstances, the case was handed over to detectives, who conducted an investigation into the allegations.

As their investigation continued, investigators located Chavez in Hemet and detained him without incident.

He was later arrested and booked at Larry Smith Detention Center on suspicion of sexual touching, digital penetration of a child, and committing lewd acts with a child.

He remains in custody on $50,000 bail, and additional charges could be filed at his arraignment, which is scheduled for tomorrow morning at Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.

Within one day of Chavez’ arrest, Hemet High School administrators had removed Chavez from the school’s online directory. It was not immediately known if he is still employed at the school or if he was placed on administrative leave while law enforcement and school officials continue to look into the allegations against him.

The sheriff’s investigation is active and ongoing as they seek additional potential victims.

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Anyone with information about this investigation or who is or knows a potential victim of Chavez’s is encouraged to immediately contact Investigator Porrazzo at (951) 791-3400. Callers can refer to incident file number D182130031 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations, including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook, as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and The Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.