Former Monterey Park Teacher Pleads Guilty to Molesting Special Education Students

On Tuesday July 29, a former Los Angeles County teacher pleaded guilty to several sex crime charges involving special education students at a Monterey Park elementary school. Jose Mosqueda, the 44-year-old teacher, pleaded guilty to three counts of committing lewd acts on a child, as well as one count of continuous sexual abuse. He is now facing a lengthy prison sentence.

The case stems from allegations made against Mosqueda that he sexually molested four special education students while teaching at an elementary school in Monterey Park. According to court documents, the victims were female fourth-grade students. Prosecutors stated that the first student informed authorities about Mosqueda in October 2011, and that Mosqueda was arrested and later released on bail.

Mosqueda was again arrested after two additional students stepped forward to allege that Mosqueda had molested them. While imprisoned, the fourth student reported similar allegations. Mosqueda is now awaiting a sentencing hearing in September and could face as many as 16 years in state prison. He will also be required to serve lifetime registration as a convicted sex offender.