MESA, Ariz. — A Mesa private school principal is behind bars and faces more than a dozen felony charges for allegedly sexually abusing three male students.
Chandler Police arrested Victor Elias Zamora, 40, on July 22 after doing a month-long investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by the Legacy Academy director and teacher - a private school operated near Brown and Gilbert roads in Mesa.
Investigators said back in April 2019, Zamora sexually abused a 16-year-old victim inside his minivan at a Chandler parking lot.
Authorities said on numerous occasions, Zamora picked up the victim from his home in Chandler and took him to dinner and his office in Mesa where the abuse continued, court documents show.
The victim’s siblings attended the school where Zamora was the teacher and principal, police said.
READ THE STORY IN SPANISH: Director de escuela privada en Mesa arrestado por presuntamente admitir conducta sexual con menores, dicen autoridades
In text messages attained by officials between the boy and Zamora from September 2019, the boy vaguely confronted Zamora about what he allegedly did to him and said he would press charges. Zamora allegedly apologized, and said he didn't mean to harm him, documents showed.
During a recorded conversation on July 19, Zamora allegedly admitted to the sexual acts with the boy, officials said. Zamora was arrested three days later.
Zamora allegedly admitted to the crimes, including sexually abusing two other juvenile males from Legacy Academy, during his post-Miranda interview.
Investigators said the sexual assaults happened on school grounds, Zamora’s personal office and a parking lot in Chandler.
Zamora was also active as a youth leader in various religious communities in the East Valley and held a position of trust, police said.
12 News made multiple attempts to contacts the school but were unable to reach anyone. The school’s website and phone number are down.
Michelle Skura, Zamora’s attorney, said her client is contracted internationally to go to schools and look at their curriculum as an administrator or auditor. She added that he does not work directly with children.
Zamora was arrested at his Mesa home. He was booked into the county jail for 15 counts of sexual conduct with a minor and is being held on a $1 million bond.
“That’s very disturbing,” said Sandy, a business owner who has operated a dry cleaning business across the street from the school for 40 years.
“It’s really disturbing to see that, lucky my kids are older and not in there but something I would have considered since it’s across the road,” she said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Zamora had not posted bond.
Zamora's lawyers issued a statement that read, in part:
Mr. Zamora is afforded the presumption of innocence under the 5th and 14th amendments of the US Constitution. As such the State has the burden of proof and not Mr. Zamora to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he committed the crimes which he is being accused of. Mr. Zamora deserves the opportunity to defend himself and to be judged by a court of law and not the court of public opinion.
In regard to the allegations of child molestation, there is no evidence or admission that Mr. Zamora acted inappropriately on school grounds. It is our understanding that this job required him to work with the school administrators and not children.
Mr. Zamora is a resident of Mexico and has a wife and children back home. His family in the State of Arizona are heartbroken by the accusations and have limited to no knowledge of the allegations. This is a difficult time for the family and we do ask that you please give them space during this time.
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