A Coachella teacher accused of inappropriately touching a juvenile student was out of custody Thursday.
Thermal Sheriff’s Station deputies launched a sexual assault investigation in December after the student made a report to the school administration, according to a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department statement.
Investigators identified 42-year-old Mario Valenzuela as a suspect, and arrested him at 11:35 a.m. Friday in the 49000 block of Pluma Roja Place in Coachella, the department stated.
Valenzuela was booked into Indio’s Benoit Detention Center on suspicion of lewd acts on a minor.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with relevant information was encouraged to contact Investigator Fernandez of the Thermal Sheriff’s Station by calling 760-863-8990.