Former teacher pleads guilty to molesting special-ed students
A former elementary school teacher in Monterey Park has pleaded guilty to sexually molesting four special education students and now faces a lengthy prison term.
Jose Mosqueda, 44, pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of committing lewd acts upon a child and and one count of continuous sexual abuse. The victims were female fourth-grade students, according to Los Angeles County Deputy District Atty. Amy Murphy.
Mosqueda is expected to get 16 years in state prison when he is sentenced Sept. 5, Murphy said. He would have to register as a sex offender for life.
The first student came forward with sexual assault allegations in October 2011, authorities said. Mosqueda was arrested but later released on bail.
He was rearrested when two other former students told law enforcement they also had been molested, Murphy said. While Mosqueda was in jail, the fourth victim came forward.
For breaking news in Los Angeles and the Southland, follow @debbietruong or email her at debbie.truong@latimes.com.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
