Trial for a former countywide “Teacher of the Year” accused of sex crimes with two students at her National City elementary school, including sex acts with a sixth-grader, has been set for next spring.
Jaqueline Ma, 35, had been set to start trial in Chula Vista Superior Court in December, but a judge agreed last week to move it back to April 14.
Following Ma’s preliminary hearing last December, a judge bound her over for trial on a host of charges that could yield a sentence of up to life in prison if the former sixth-grade teacher at Lincoln Acres Elementary is convicted.
A few months ago, Ma brought in a different defense attorney, Patrick Griffin, who said Tuesday that he and his client “continue to have an open line of communication” with the District Attorney’s Office.
Ma had taught fifth and sixth grades in National School District since 2013. In August 2022, she was one of five teachers tapped as a San Diego County Teacher of the Year.
Ma was arrested seven months later, in March 2023, after the parent of a 12-year-old boy contacted police to report a suspected inappropriate relationship. Ma was charged with several felony counts, including lewd acts on a child, seduction of a minor and possession of child pornography.
Prosecutors alleged she had a months-long relationship with the child, sending him “illicit” photographs of herself and asking him to do the same. The ensuing investigation revealed a second suspected victim — a boy who was 11 years old when prosecutors say she sent him sexually charged messages, according to testimony at her preliminary hearing.
A status hearing in the case is scheduled for Jan. 21.
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