A 48-year-old Dana Hills High School teacher was charged Wednesday with sexually assaulting a boy for about two years, starting when the child was 13, and possession of child pornography.
Ezequiel Barragan faces four counts of performing lewd acts on a child younger than 14, three counts of lewd acts on a child 14 to 15, and one count of possession of child pornography, along with a sentence-enhancing allegation of substantial sexual conduct with a child.
His arraignment today was rescheduled for May 22. The Aliso Viejo resident, who’s being held in lieu of $500,000 bail, could face up to 16 years and eight months in prison if convicted.
Barragan met the alleged victim, who was not a student at the high school, through the defendant’s volunteer work with the Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children in Orange County program, according to Deputy District Attorney Vanessa Woods.
Barragan is accused of sexually assaulting the boy between Aug. 14, 2012, and Feb. 7 of this year, and with possessing child pornography featuring boys 12 to 16 years old posing partially nude, Woods said.
Barragan was arrested Monday and placed on leave by the Capistrano Unified School District. Spokeswoman Julie Hatchel said he had “been an employee in good standing with the district” since being hired in 1998.
He taught Spanish to freshmen and juniors and was chairman of the school’s World Languages Department, Hatchel said.
Barragan, who was initially a target of a U.S. Postal Service investigation of child pornography, has coached high school, junior high and youth baseball over the past 20 years, according to Orange County sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock.
Investigators are concerned there may be more alleged victims and encouraged anyone with information to call (714) 647-7418 or (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips may be made through Orange County Crime Stoppers at (955) TIP- OCCS.
— City News Service