Teacher Tried To Meet With Minor In OC For Sex, Police Say

IRVINE, CA — An Orange County middle school teacher accused of engaging in a sexually charged conversation with someone he thought was an underage teen was behind bars Monday.

Irvine resident Eric Reid Zuercher, 44, was arrested and booked on suspicion of attempting to meet a minor to engage in sexual activity, according to the Irvine Police Department.

According to police, a group that works to expose sexual predators online called police with a tip that Zuercher was in contact with an adult posing as a 14-year-old boy Sunday evening.

Zuercher was allegedly asking the fictional boy if he wanted to meet, police said.

The group confronted Zuercher at his home before calling police. Police later obtained a warrant and arrested Zuercher at his home, police said.

Zuercher, who teaches at Sierra Vista Middle School, has been placed on administrative leave, police said.

Anyone who might have relevant information for investigators was asked to call Detective Brian Felling at 949-724-7189 or to email him at bfelling@cityofirvine.org.