A Riverside high school teacher who sent a sexually explicit photo to a student pleaded guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge and was immediately sentenced to three years probation.
Nicholas Janzen, 28, of Riverside admitted one count of exhibiting pornographic material to a minor. In exchange for his admission, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office dropped a charge of annoying a person under 18 years old.
Superior Court Judge Helios Hernandez ordered that Janzen register as a sex offender and spend three months in a sheriff’s work release program, during which time he’ll have to remain gainfully employed or attend school.
According to Riverside police Officer Ryan Railsback, detectives received reports in April 2016 alleging that Janzen had inappropriate contact with students at Notre Dame High School, where he taught mathematics.
Detectives conducted additional interviews with students at Martin Luther King High School, where Janzen transferred to teach swimming and water polo, and determined that the defendant sent an explicit photo of himself to a student “and solicited photos from the victim,” Railsback alleged.
Following an interview with investigators, Janzen was arrested without incident on May 12. He posted bond and was released from custody within hours.
The Riverside Unified School District immediately placed him on paid administrative leave pending further developments in the investigation. The district is now expected to terminate his employment.
Janzen has no prior documented misdemeanor or felony convictions.
–City News Service