A child predator has been apprehended in San Jose. An assistant principal, Ruben Guzman, 31, faces charges for allegedly trying to pay someone he thought was a 13-year-old boy for sex.
Guzman, who served at Sunrise Middle School, was one of ten men arrested during a significant child sex sting operation conducted shortly before Super Bowl LX.
According to authorities, Guzman reached out to someone he believed to be a minor on February 3, expressing intent to pay for sex. Shortly after that, he arrived at the arranged location to meet the boy, only to be met by a team of undercover police officers.
Having started his career at Sunrise Middle School in 2020, Guzman was let go immediately after his arrest, as confirmed by Teresa Robinson, the school’s founding director. She noted that in addition to his role as assistant principal, Guzman had also taught math to fifth and eighth graders.
Interestingly, he had recently been recognized among ten local educators with a notable award, aimed at those who inspire future generations despite facing challenges.
Robinson mentioned that while the school offers counseling services, there’s no indication that any of Guzman’s students were involved in his alleged activities.
“We’re fully cooperating with law enforcement. This incident is extremely distressing, but it doesn’t reflect who we are as a school. Our priority is to support our students and their families,” she stated.
Investigators continue to seek out any additional victims who might have interacted with Guzman, noting his position of trust with children. He has been booked at the Santa Clara County Jail facing charges related to sexual relations with a minor and could potentially face up to five years in prison.
The other suspects arrested alongside Guzman face various charges, including attempts of lewd acts with minors. The ages of these individuals range from 24 to 72 years old, with five suspects from San Jose, while others hail from Santa Clara, Hayward, Milpitas, and San Bruno.
