Bonita Vista Teacher Accused of Sexual Relations With Former Student

CHULA VISTA, CA — A Bonita Vista High School teacher and director of the school band has been arrested on suspicion of having sexual relations with a student.

Music teacher Jason Jerome Mangan-Magabilin, 38, was arrested Wednesday by the Chula Vista Police Department and booked into a San Diego County jail on suspicion of nine counts of oral copulation with a minor under the age of 18 and four counts of sexual penetration with a minor under the age of 18.

Chula Vista police say the alleged acts between Mangan-Magabilin and the student took place about five years ago when the male student was between 15 and 17 years old.

Authorities became aware of the alleged crimes only recently, when a 22- year-old man came forward with the accusations. He alleged he had been molested at the Otay Lakes Road campus on various occasions at age 15 and again when he was 17, Chula Vista police Capt. Lon Tuner said.

"Sweetwater Union High School District officials are fully cooperating with the police investigation and also conducting their own internal personnel investigation into the matter," Chula Vista police said in a statement.

According to a bio posted on the school band's webpage, Mangan-Magabilin is the high school's band director and has taught for at least 10 years at the high school. He also conducts the Crusader Girls Chorus at Bonita Vista Middle School.

He graduated Quartz Hill High School and attended the University of Southern California, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in music education, and was a member of the Trojan Marching Band.

Mangan-Magabilin was released from custody on bail Thursday morning. His initial court appearance in the case is scheduled for Aug. 4, a jail clerk said.

The Sweetwater Union High School District issued this statement following Mangan-Magabilin's arrest:

"We appreciate that the public has many questions regarding the recent arrests in the District pertaining to alleged inappropriate contacts between students and staff. The District is currently actively working with law enforcement on each of these matters. The District is committed to assisting law enforcement and conducting thorough personnel investigations in each matter, so we are not able to provide further comment at this time.
"We appreciate your understanding and respect of the District’s commitment to protect the integrity of all pending investigations during these challenging circumstances. We ask that you allow our staff to focus their attention during these trying times on the learning environment of our students."

Former Mar Vista High School assistant football coach Edward Aaron Mendoza was arrested in April on suspicion of having a sexual relationship with a ninth-grade female student.

Just two days prior to Mendoza's arrest, Mar Vista ROTC instructor Martin Albert Gallegos was arrested on suspicion of having sexual relations with a female student.

— City News Service contributed to this report.