Teacher of the Year finalist accused of offering cash for sex to undercover officer posing as 13-year-old boy
By Jensen Bird
Daily Mail
Feb 15, 2026
Ruben Guzman, 31, was arrested on charges of communicating with a minor for sex
A San Jose teacher was arrested after allegedly attempting to exchange money for sex with an officer he thought was a 13-year-old boy.
Ruben Guzman, 31, was honored as the 2024 finalist for California Teacher of the Year and even recognized by the San Francisco 49ers for his work in education.
But on February 3, the assistant principal and math teacher at Sunrise Middle School in San Jose, was arrested during a massive undercover chat operation.
According to a statement from the San Jose Police Department, cops posed as minors online, targeting multiple 'individuals seeking to sexually exploit children.'
'On the evening of February 3, 2026, Suspect Guzman started to communicate with who he believed was a 13-year-old juvenile male,' read the release.
'The suspect acknowledged the child was underage and told the minor that he wanted to engage in sexual acts, further enticing the minor by offering money in exchange.'
Police say Guzman attempted to meet up with the teen in San Jose, but when he arrived, officers took him into custody.
When they searched Guzman and his car, they allegedly found 'items consistent with the planned encounter.'
Guzman was a teacher at Sunrise Middle School in San Jose for six years
Sunrise Middle School Principal Teresa Robinson told ABC7 that Guzman was a 'highly regarded teacher and administrator' for the six years he worked for her.
'While this is deeply upsetting, it does not reflect who we are as a school,' she said.
'There was nothing in his work record or his prior work record [at] other schools to indicate anyone had any problems with his work.'
Robinson informed parents, provided students with counseling and discussed the issue with them in an 'age-appropriate manner.'
'We are very, very glad that it did not happen, to the best of our knowledge, to anybody at our school; safety will continue to be our top priority,' she said.
Guzman was instructed to stay away from Sunrise Middle School and have no further contact with students, reported KTVU.
The school is cooperating with the investigation.
A total of 11 suspects were arrested during the San Jose Police's sting operation. Their ages ranged from 24 to 72
Between February 3 and February 6, ten other men were arrested in the major operation. The suspects ranged in age from 24 to 72.
The operation was planned in the week leading up to the Super Bowl to combat child exploitation and human trafficking.
Guzman was booked at the Santa Clara County Main Jail and charged with communicating with a minor for sex. He remains in custody.
Because he was a teacher, the San Jose police believe there may be additional victims.
They have asked anyone with information to contact the San José Police Internet Crimes Against Children/Child Exploitation Detail Task Force.
The Daily Mail contacted Sunrise Middle School and the San Jose Police Department for comment.
No comments:
Post a Comment