Efrain Israel Ortiz, 44, taught at Landmark Elementary
School
Watsonville – An elementary school teacher who owns a martial arts studio was arrested on suspicion of molesting an 11-year-old.
Efrain Israel Ortiz, 44, of Gilroy, was booked and released Thursday on $50,000 bail.
The fourth-grade teacher at Landmark Elementary School was placed on administrative leave by the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.
Police began investigating Ortiz, who was arrested at his Jabez’ Academy Martial Arts, after detectives got a tip from a parent, Capt. Eddie Rodriguez said.
“Rumors started flying around about this teacher annoying other students in his class,” Rodriguez said.
The alleged victim is a former Ortiz student at Landmark Elementary and a current student at his martial arts studio, Rodriguez said.
Letters informing Landmark Elementary parents of Ortiz’s arrest were sent home Thursday.
Ortiz has been a district teacher since 2000, district superintendent Dorma Baker said.
Ortiz passed reference and background checks through the state Department of Justice and was fingerprinted before being hired, Baker said.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
