Educators charged with sex abuse
Cecilia Mueller, an elementary school teacher in Texas, was arrested and charged with continuous sexual assault of a child on May 3, 2026. As of May 3, 2026: Authorities are continuing their investigation into Mueller's case, with further details expected as the legal process unfolds. This arrest follows a series of recent charges against educators, including a former Louisiana Teacher of the Year facing charges for allegedly maintaining a sexual relationship with a minor throughout most of 2024, and Ben Cranzic, a teacher facing 42 charges for alleged child sex crimes including secretly taking "up-skirt" videos. Other notable cases include Jacqueline Ma, a former "Teacher of the Year" in San Diego County, sentenced to 30 years to life for sexually abusing two students, and Tera Johnson-Swartz, a 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year finalist, sentenced to 14 years in prison on March 19, 2026, for a sexual relationship with a student.
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May 2026 — 2 developments
Cecilia Mueller, an elementary school teacher in Texas, has been arrested and charged with continuous sexual assault of a child.
Cecilia Mueller, an elementary school teacher in Texas, has been arrested and charged with continuous sexual assault of a child. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the matter, with further details expected as the legal process unfolds.
A former Louisiana Teacher of the Year is facing charges for allegedly maintaining a sexual relationship with a minor victim throughout most of 2024.
A former Louisiana Teacher of the Year is facing charges for allegedly maintaining a sexual relationship with a minor victim throughout most of 2024. The teacher is charged with enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity. Further details are part of the ongoing investigation.
April 2026 — 3 developments
Spencer Heron, a former 'Teacher of the Year' in Cobb County, Georgia, has been indicted on five charges of student sexual assault.
Spencer Heron, a former 'Teacher of the Year' in Cobb County, Georgia, has been indicted on five charges of student sexual assault. A former Missouri elementary school teacher, also a local 'Teacher of the Year,' is facing a second set of accusations of sexual abuse. Additionally, a 'Teacher of the Year' in Broussard, Louisiana, has been arrested on child sex abuse charges.
Ben Cranzic, a teacher previously arrested for alleged child sex crimes, now faces additional charge…
Ben Cranzic, a teacher previously arrested for alleged child sex crimes, now faces additional charges including secretly taking "up-skirt" videos of fifth-grade girls, bringing his total charges to 42. Separately, Jacqueline Ma, a former "Teacher of the Year" in San Diego County, was sentenced to 30 years to life for sexually abusing two students, and former Minnesota "Teacher of the Year" Abdul Wright was found guilty of sexually abusing a student.
A teacher in Bardstown, Kentucky, was arrested and charged with first-degree sexual abuse and promoting the use of a minor by electronic means.
A teacher in Bardstown, Kentucky, was arrested and charged with first-degree sexual abuse and promoting the use of a minor by electronic means. The charges stem from allegations of engaging in sexual contact with a student and sending partially nude photos.
March 2026 — 4 developments
Andrew Park, a former elementary school teacher in Stamford, Connecticut, was arrested in April 2024…
Andrew Park, a former elementary school teacher in Stamford, Connecticut, was arrested in April 2024 on charges including sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor, following allegations by an 11-year-old girl. A lawsuit also claims school officials' negligence contributed to the abuse.
Tera Johnson-Swartz, a finalist for the 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year award, was sentenced to 14 years in prison on March 19, 2026, for a sexual relationship with a student.
Tera Johnson-Swartz, a finalist for the 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year award, was sentenced to 14 years in prison on March 19, 2026, for a sexual relationship with a student. Separately, former teacher Brian Michael Wrhel faces back-to-back trials in April 2026 for charges including sexually touching young girls and possessing child pornography, with potential sentences totaling 395 years.
Tyrie Baker, a teacher at Mount View High School, was arrested in March 2026 and charged with multiple counts related to the alleged sexual abuse of a student.
Tyrie Baker, a teacher at Mount View High School, was arrested in March 2026 and charged with multiple counts related to the alleged sexual abuse of a student. The alleged crimes occurred between March 2025 and December 2025, and investigators recovered security video showing Baker taking the student to his classroom.
Steven Schnee, a New York City public school teacher, was arrested in March 2026 and charged with sexually abusing a 16-year-old student.
Steven Schnee, a New York City public school teacher, was arrested in March 2026 and charged with sexually abusing a 16-year-old student. The accusations state that Schnee placed his hands on the student's thighs and made inappropriate comments. An investigation into his conduct and school safety protocols has been initiated.
February 2026 — 1 developments
Christie Oster, a Louisiana educator named 'Teacher of the Year' in September 2025, has been arreste…
Christie Oster, a Louisiana educator named 'Teacher of the Year' in September 2025, has been arrested and charged with indecent behavior with juveniles and carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Police allege Oster maintained an inappropriate relationship with a former student.
January 2026 — 1 developments
A 'Teacher of the Year' from Broussard, Louisiana, was arrested in January 2026 on child sex abuse charges.
A 'Teacher of the Year' from Broussard, Louisiana, was arrested in January 2026 on child sex abuse charges. The details of the charges are still emerging as the investigation continues. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
October 2025 — 1 developments
Abdul Wright, a former Minnesota 'Teacher of the Year,' has been sentenced to over 14 years in prison for assaulting a 14-year-old female student.
Abdul Wright, a former Minnesota 'Teacher of the Year,' has been sentenced to over 14 years in prison for assaulting a 14-year-old female student. Prosecutors argued that Wright used his accolades to aid in his abuse.
September 2025 — 1 developments
Abdul Wright, the 2016 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, was found guilty of sexual misconduct involving a former student and awaits sentencing.
Abdul Wright, the 2016 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, was found guilty of sexual misconduct involving a former student and awaits sentencing. Alexander Oveal Jr., a former Cleveland ISD Teacher of the Year, received two concurrent 20-year prison sentences for sexual assault of a child. Additionally, Andrew Henson, Smithfield High School's Teacher of the Year for 2021-2022, had his teaching license revoked following an investigation into an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student.
May 2025 — 1 developments
Jacqueline Ma, a former San Diego County Teacher of the Year, has been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for grooming and sexually assaulting two young boys.
Jacqueline Ma, a former San Diego County Teacher of the Year, has been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for grooming and sexually assaulting two young boys. Ma pleaded guilty in February to multiple charges, including forcible lewd acts on a child. She was arrested in March 2023 after a parent reported inappropriate messages between her son and Ma.
March 2025 — 2 developments
Former Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Abdul Wright, is facing charges for allegedly sexually abusing a student for nearly a year.
Former Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Abdul Wright, is facing charges for allegedly sexually abusing a student for nearly a year. The new report indicates prior allegations from a year before the abuse, and Wright allegedly admitted to consensual sex with a coworker. Despite these accusations, he was named Minnesota's Teacher of the Year in 2016.
The criminal trial for former Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Abdul Wright, began with opening statements on August 25, 2025.
The criminal trial for former Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Abdul Wright, began with opening statements on August 25, 2025. Wright is accused of sexually abusing a former middle school student in 2017. The accuser testified that the abuse occurred in the classroom, his car, and her apartment.
March 2023 — 2 developments
Jacqueline Ma, a 34-year-old former Teacher of the Year in Southern California, pleaded not guilty to multiple child sex abuse charges involving a former student.
Jacqueline Ma, a 34-year-old former Teacher of the Year in Southern California, pleaded not guilty to multiple child sex abuse charges involving a former student. The investigation began after a mother reported suspicions about her 13-year-old daughter's relationship with Ma. Ma faces 15 criminal counts, including lewd acts upon a child and contact of a minor with intent to commit a sexual offense.
Jacqueline Ma, a former 'Teacher of the Year' in National City, has been arrested and faces 14 charges related to child sexual abuse.
Jacqueline Ma, a former 'Teacher of the Year' in National City, has been arrested and faces 14 charges related to child sexual abuse. Police allege she had an inappropriate relationship with a 13-year-old former student. This development is separate from the existing reports concerning another educator.
August 2022 — 1 developments
Jacqueline Ma is named a San Diego County Teacher of the Year for the 2022-23 academic year by the San Diego County Office of Education.
Jacqueline Ma is named a San Diego County Teacher of the Year for the 2022-23 academic year by the San Diego County Office of Education.
January 2022 — 1 developments
Ma begins grooming a 12-year-old boy, the first victim, by offering gifts, special attention, and completing his homework.
Ma begins grooming a 12-year-old boy, the first victim, by offering gifts, special attention, and completing his homework.