This week, the former teacher who won the Teacher Award pleaded guilty to a child sex crime. The former California teacher faces up to 30 years in prison for child sexual abuse of two students.
On Wednesday, 35-year-old Jacqueline MA pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent conduct with a child under the age of 14. She also admitted to indecent behavior involving a second child under the age of 14.
Assistant District Attorney Drew Hart described Ma's actions towards the first victim as “obsessive, possessive, dominant, dangerous.”
According to San Diego Union – TribuneMA is expected to be sentenced to 30 years in prison.
The changes to Ma's pleas arrived about two months before the trial was scheduled to begin. Before pleading guilty, she faced up to 165 years of life in a state prison.
The MA is scheduled to be declared May 9th at Chula Vista Superior Court.
Ma's lawyer Patrick Griffin said the plea deal was a “fair resolution” to the case, and his client “accepted responsibility early in the process.”
“She only expressed real regret from the start of this,” Griffin said.
MA was employed as a sixth grade teacher at Lincoln Acre Elementary School in National City, California. As reported by Blaze News in March 2023, MA was one of five educators. 2022-23 San Diego County Teacher of the Year.
Seven months after receiving the Teacher Award, Massachusetts was arrested on suspicion of child sexual abuse. The parents of a 12-year-old boy contacted the Kunitachi city police station and reported that the parent's son's teacher was likely to have an illegal sexual relationship with the boy.
The era of San Diego MA was arrested and reported that she was charged with “in connection with allegations that she groomed a 13-year-old former student, exchanged illegal photographs with a teenager and engaged in sexual activity.”
Assistant District Attorney Drew Hart described Ma's actions towards the first victim as “obsessive, possessive, dominant, dangerous.” Hart said MA had a photo of the boy in his wallet, a jewel with initials, and a love letter to the boy was found in the classroom.
“This was very important to us, not just because she won the award, but because of the people she was in the community,” Hart said.
During the investigation, law enforcement discovered the possible second victim, an 11-year-old boy. Prosecutors accused MA of sending sexually charged messages to minors.
As reported by Blaze News in July 2023, MA was hit with more than 12 new charges related to alleged sexual offences against two juveniles who were former students of the MA.
During the MA preliminary hearing in December 2023, detective Colleen Stanich from the National Police Station read a message sent between a teacher and a minor student.
Quoting the court's testimony, KGTV MA reported that she sent a message to a former student who read, “Don't forget that your underwear is in your pocket.”
The boy reportedly wrote to MA in one message. “There are times when I don’t think I know I am a child yet.
Superior Court Judge Maryne Dadegio said that MA used her authority over one of the boys to “force him into actions that he was not prepared for, and that it was inappropriate and wrong.” For a relationship that goes beyond that.”
Hart said after MA pleaded guilty, “I think this plea deal will send a message. When leveraging the status of trust, not just about sex crimes against children, but also about community parents and honest faith. And do this. Their children, there are considerable penalties to pay.”
National School District supervisor Reigella Brady statement Following a guilty plea that announced that MA had been fired.
“Two years ago, when we learned of allegations of inappropriate physical activity between this former educator and a minor, we were left at the heart of our heart,” Brady said. “She was quickly placed in an unpaid position and has been detained ever since, but with this guilty plea in our school community, we now end her employment in the district. I would like to assure you that it can officially move to the
MA has been a national school district teacher since 2013.
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