South Bay Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Child

SAN JOSÉ, CA — A South Bay teacher was arrested Monday in connection with a sexual assault investigation involving child victims, San José police said.

Israel Santiago, 43 of Morgan Hill, was arrested on suspicion of multiple counts of sexual assault of a minor, police said. He was subsequently booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail.

The San José Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children/Child Exploitation Detail on Nov. 7 responded to the Adelante Dual Language Academy to investigation allegations that an adult teacher was having inappropriate contact with several minors at the school, police said.

After interviewing several students, investigators determined that the alleged assaults occurred in the school’s music and band room, police said.

At least 10 victims disclosed inappropriate conduct by the suspect.

Detectives believe there could be additional victims due to the suspect’s position as a music teacher.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or any other similar incidents is asked to contact Detective Zanotto #3657 or Detective Gutierrez #3624 of the San Jose PD's ICAC/CED Unit at 3657@sanjoseca.gov and/or 3624@sanjoseca.gov or call (408) 537-1381.

Persons wishing to remain anonymous may either call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line, (408) 947-STOP (7867), or click the "Submit a Tip" link below. Persons providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect may be eligible for a cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers.

Tips can be submitted anonymously by using the P3TIPS mobile app, calling the tip line at (408) 947-STOP, or on www.svcrimestoppers.org.

Anyone who submits information that leads to an arrest is eligible for a cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program.