Falls Church Teacher Pleads Guilty To Sexual Battery

FALLS CHURCH, VA -- Former Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School mathematics teacher Jose Estrada pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of sexual battery. He will be sentenced August 4, according to court documents.

Estrada, 36, of Clifton was arrested and charged with the aggravated sexual assault of two female students on February 17. Falls Church City Public Schools had learned of the allegations on Jan. 17 and placed him on paid leave. The school board voted to not renew his contract days after the arrest.

The identities of the two young female victims are being withheld to protect them.

(Sign up for real time alerts and a newsletter. iPhone users can download the Patch app in the App Store. Plus, like Falls Church Patch on Facebook.)

In response to the plea, FCCPS spokesman John Wesley Brett said in a statement, "As a result of this week's court action, Falls Church City Public Schools has moved forward with the cancellation of Mr. Estrada’s pay that, by law, has been held in escrow since his arrest. We are filing a petition with the State Board of Education requesting Mr. Estrada’s teaching license be revoked, to eliminate the possibility of his return to the classroom in another school division."

Manassas Park Police announced in February they are investigating with Child Protection Services a separate case allegedly involving Estrada, the Falls Church News-Press reported. Estrada has taught at Manassas Park Middle School before joining FCCPS. Manassas Park Police are looking at allegations between September 2014 and April 2015.

Estrada was hired by FCCPS on July 1, 2015 and taught 6th grade mathematics. The Falls Church school system said in a February statement it followed proper hiring procedures of fingerprinting and background checks with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Virginia State Police, and Child Protective Services, as well as panel interviews, and reference checks. The school system received no information indicating problems with students or staff.

Photo courtesy of Falls Church Police