2 San Jose Teachers Accused Of Sex Crimes Against Students: Police

SAN JOSE, CA — Detectives are investigating two unrelated cases where male teachers sexually assaulted or had inappropriate contact with underage female students at San Jose schools, police announced Monday.

In the first case, police said the victim contacted them earlier this month to report a sexual assault that happened in 2002 or 2003. Detectives with the department's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force began an investigation and identified the suspect as Shawn Thomas, 56, of Los Gatos.

Police allege Thomas was working as a teacher at Leigh High School when the assault occurred and at the time of his arrest. He also worked as a football and track and field coach at Los Gatos High School, police said.

The task force arrested Thomas on Friday in San Jose, and he was booked into the Main Jail on suspicion of rape and sexual assault of a minor.

In the other case, police said a female student at the ACE Empower Academy contacted them in December to report a teacher who had sent her "inappropriate electronic and handwritten messages." Investigators identified the suspect as Giovanny LaTorre, 28, of San Jose, and arrested him last week. He was booked into the Main Jail on suspicion of "annoying or molesting a minor."

Police asked anyone with information on the cases or similar incidents to contact the task force at 408-273-2959.