Monday, April 21, 2025 - A teacher from Arizona was pictured grinning in court after he was arrested for allegedly having s£x with minors.
Eric Chapman, 43, a teacher and head baseball coach at
Cortez High School in Phoenix, was arrested on last Wednesday after he was
found to be sending nude photographs of himself to a minor
online, according to court documents obtained by ABC 15.
An investigation into Chapman began on March 25 after the
Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a tip about him
from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the outlet
reported.
Once authorities got into his social media accounts, they
identified him as a teacher at the school and contacted him about their
findings.
He then admitted to using a social media account and also filming s£xual content in multiple areas throughout the school's campus, as well as in his car, records showed.
Those interactions involved three students - two current and
one former. The youngest victim was just 16 years old.
He made his initial court appearance on Thursday as he was
seen smiling ear to ear while he stood before a judge in a virtual
hearing.
The married teacher also confessed to having downloaded
several hundred child pornography images and videos on his phone and computer,
the filing stated.
Officials found several images of males, including children
as young as seven years old, in those files, Fox 10 Phoenix
reported.
Although police have not identified the three victims, they
did say that Chapman met them through online dating apps, per the outlet.
Ashley Stetson, with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office,
said the most concerning aspect of the case was that Chapman admitted these
alleged actions happened recently.
'What's concerning to the state is when officers interviewed
the suspect, he admitted to s£xual acts happening as recently as last week,'
Stetson said during his hearing.
'The state believes he is a danger to the community. As well
as his position as a coach and a teacher, he is in a position of trust, and the
state believes that a higher bond is appropriate,' she added.
He faces multiple counts of s£xual conduct with a minor and
sexual exploitation of a minor. Chapman is being held on a $250,000 cash
bond.
In a statement to parents, the Glendale Union High School District addressed
the allegations against Chapman and confirmed he is no longer employed.
'We are writing to inform you that Cortez High School
administration was notified by the Phoenix Police Department that one of our
teachers was arrested on charges related to crimes against children,' the
district said.
'Upon learning of the allegations, school and district administration took
immediate action. The teacher has been relieved of all duties. The Glendale
Union High School District takes these matters seriously and works closely with
law enforcement to support their investigations and ensure student
safety.
'As this is an active police investigation, we are unable to share further
details. Thank you for your continued partnership and support.'
After hearing about his alleged crimes, Jilwanna Reed, a mother of two
students at the school, said it was 'disturbing' to learn.
'I think that is very, very disturbing,' she told Fox 10.
Another parent echoed her concerns, adding: 'It's scary in this day and
age to send your kid to school, because you have no idea what's going to
happen.'
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