SJ Teacher Arrested For Lewd Acts With Girl, 12: Sheriff's Office

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — A San Jose Unified School District teacher was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of committing lewd and lascivious acts with a 12-year-old girl he taught at a Saratoga summer camp session, a Santa Clara County sheriff's official said. Chad Zitzner, 45, of San Jose, was taken into custody at 1 p.m. Tuesday and booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail, said sheriff's Sgt. Richard Glennon.

Authorities allege Zitzner came into contact with the victim in July while teaching a Saratoga session of Math Enrichment, a private summer math camp that employs teachers from various school districts, Glennon said.

"At some point after the conclusion of the camp, the victim disclosed to her mother that Zitzner had touched her inappropriately on multiple occasions while at camp," Glennon said.

The mother in turn reported the allegations to the sheriff's office.

The sheriff's Sexual Assault Investigation Unit then conducted an "extensive" investigation before presenting its findings to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, the sergeant said.

A $300,000 warrant was then issued for Zitzner’s arrest.

Zitzner is a teacher at Broadway High School but has been on administrative leave since late October, Glennon told Patch.

Zitzner taught World History and PE, according to the school's website.

Zitzner was placed on leave when district officials learned of the allegations, SJSU Deputy Superintendent Stephen McMahon told Patch Tuesday afternoon.

"He is not working with students in any capacity right now," McMahon said. "We always err on the side of students being safe."

Further, McMahon said, district officials currently do not have evidence of any incidents involving Zitzner and any San Jose Unified students.

Authorities are asking anyone with information pertaining to Zitzner or the investigation to call the sheriff's office at 408-808-4500 or the Investigative Services Anonymous Tip Line at 408-808-4431.

Photo via Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office