A teacher in San Diego, Calif., who was honored for being really good at his job, was arrested for allegedly having an affair with one of his students, police revealed Tuesday (Oct. 30).
Terrance Lee Smith, 32, teaches freshman English at Chula Vista High School, and was arrested Monday (Oct. 29) on suspicion of carrying out an intimate relationship with a student for two years. Smith was busted when the mother of the victim contacted Chula Vista police, once she learned of the relationship.
Before arresting him, detectives spoke with the young lady involved, who admitted to engaging in various encounters with Smith at school, in his car, and in his home. The two carried out the physical relationship between 2006 and 2008, beginning when she was 16.
Detectives also obtained additional evidence aside from the victim's statements in building their case against Smith. He was booked on 14 charges of s-xual contact with a minor, and is being held on $350,000 bail.
Having become one of 10 finalist in the county's “Teacher of the Year” award race, news of his arrest was a surprise. “This came as a big shock to us,” said Manuel Rubio, spokesman for the Sweetwater Union High School District. “Definitely we are concerned first and foremost with the safety of the students.”
A graduate of Chula Vista, Smith was hired in 2005, and was very popular among students.
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