CHULA VISTA, Calif. — A San Diego judge sentenced former ‘teacher of the year’ Jacqueline Ma to 30 years to life of prison Friday.
Ma broke down in tears as she read a prepared statement in a Chula Vista courtroom, admitting to sex crimes against two former students at Lincoln Acres Elementary School in National City.
“I shamed the title of teacher,” she said, sobbing as her family members watched from the courtroom gallery.
Police arrested Ma in 2023 after a parent found inappropriate messages between her son and the teacher.
The abuse started in 2020 and went undetected as Ma took steps to cover her tracks, including using secretive communications, Deputy District Attorney Drew Hart said.
He said the parents of one student took steps to protect their child, but Ma was still able to abuse the boy.
“He did not have a cell phone. He did not otherwise have access to the internet. But Ms. Ma still found a way to communicate with him through tablets that were given from the school and through video games,” Hart told reporters.
San Diego Superior Court Judge Enrique Camarena said Ma was able to groom the 11 and 12-year-old boys in plain sight.
“It wasn’t caught because she was well-respected and an award-winning teacher.”
Ma admitted she manipulated her students and accepted full responsibility for her crimes.
“I exerted power and control and deceived them into thinking I was their friend,” she said, shackled and dressed in a blue prisoner’s uniform.
The 36-year-old apologized to her former students. “I ripped away their childhood.”
Hart did not rule out the possibility that there could be more victims who haven’t come forward, but said the authorities have conducted an exhaustive investigation.
Camarena ordered Ma to register as a sex offender. She will be eligible for parole after 30 years and will get credit for the 913 days of time she’s already been in custody.
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