Police arrested a well-known teacher and coach in San Jose on Wednesday who is suspected of having a sexual relationship with a student.
Darrin Garcia, 53, was arrested by Los Gatos police officers while at work at Kathleen MacDonald High School. Garcia is a physical education teacher and athletic director, according to the school’s staff directory.
A spokesperson for the Santa Clara Unified School District did not immediately comment on the arrest.
Police said they received a report that a male teacher had an “unlawful sexual relationship” with a student from 2021 to 2023. Garcia was the victim’s teacher and athletic coach at Santa Clara High School, according to a police department news release.
“Garcia has been a well-known sports coach and athletic director in Santa Clara County and has worked at multiple different schools,” the news release said.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and asked anyone with information to contact Detective Riley Frizzell at 408-827-3558 or police@losgatosca.gov.
The arrest comes just weeks after San Jose police arrested a Kathleen MacDonald High School teaching assistant on allegations that he downloaded and shared child pornography from his South Bay home.
“These are extremely serious charges. The safety and security of our students are our top priorities,” reads a district statement regarding the arrest. “The employee was immediately placed on administrative leave pending the results of the active police investigation.”
Robert Salonga contributed to this story