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Ex-Tinian High teacher found guilty of sexually abusing minor student
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Posted on Sep 12 2011
By Ferdie de la Torre
Reporter
Reporter
Jonathan M. Diaz, a 27-year-old former Tinian High School teacher accused of impregnating his then 16-year-old student, was found guilty on Friday of all three charges of sexual abuse of a minor in the third degree.
Superior Court associate judge David A. Wiseman found that the prosecution was able to present sufficient evidence to convict Diaz during a bench trial on Tinian that lasted only a day.
Wiseman set the sentencing for Nov. 10, 2011.
The offense of sexual abuse of a minor in the third degree carries a maximum imprisonment of five years.
Assistant attorney general Russell Lorfing prosecuted the case. Attorneys James Norita Camacho and Edward Arriola Sr. served as counsels for Diaz.
Camacho told Saipan Tribune that they respect the court’s judgment and that they will be meeting with Diaz to discuss options.
“We will be meeting our client to prepare for the sentencing,” Camacho said.
Camacho said Diaz is currently out on bail with conditions to comply, including stay away from the girl.
Police arrested Diaz in October 2010 after a Division of Youth Services officer came to Tinian Department of Public Safety to report a sexual abuse of a minor case involving Diaz.
A police officer stated in his report that the girl admitted that Diaz is her boyfriend and that the test indicated she’s pregnant at the time.
The officer said the girl’s mother was so upset and confronted Diaz, who then served as leadership instructor for the minor.
Diaz turned in his resignation shortly after the Tinian High School administration asked him in October 2010 about rumors circulating in the school at the time that he has a relationship with the student.
