An Arlington Public Schools Instructional Assistant Faces Aggravated Sexual Battery Charge

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington Police are asking the public help for information connected to its investigation of Jonathan Almanza Zapata, 30, who police charged with forcible sodomy and aggravated sexual battery, according to a release.

Zapata, who works as an instructional assistant at Carlin Springs Elementary, has been placed on administrative leave by Arlington Public Schools. A preliminary investigation has not found any evidence that Zapata had inappropriate contact with children at the school, according to police.

Police responded around 10:36 p.m. on Sunday for the late report of a sexual assault. The female juvenile victim told police Zapata had inappropriately touched and sexually assaulted her multiple times between September 2016 and June 2018.

After the Arlington County's Special Victims Unit conducted an investigation, police obtained warrants and took Zapata into custody without incident in the 4300 block of North Pershing Drive. Zapata and the victim know each other and this case is being investigated as a domestic-related incident.

Police ask anyone with information about Zapata that could be relevant to this case or who may have had inappropriate encounters with him to contact Detective S. Gomez at 703-228-4173 or SFgomez@arlingtonva.us. Anonymous information may be submitted through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).