CHULA VISTA, Calif. (CN) — A former San Diego County Teacher of the Year accused of a litany of sex crimes, including coercing two elementary school students to engage in sex acts, pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges on Tuesday in a state courthouse in Chula Vista.
Jaqueline Ma, remained almost entirely silent in a nearly empty courtroom, except when the judge asked if she agreed to waive her rights to a speedy trial. Ma agreed and was shortly shuffled out of the courtroom and back into custody.
Ma, a former fifth and sixth grade teacher at Lincoln Acres Elementary in National City — a town in the South Bay region of San Diego County — was arrested March 2023 after the parent of a 12-year-old boy called the police to report a suspected monthslong relationship was happening between Ma and the preteen that included exchanging illicit photographs and engaging in sex acts.
An investigation revealed another potential victim, an 11-year-old boy, who prosecutors claim Ma also sent illicit messages to.
Ma was charged in San Diego Superior Court with multiple felonies, including lewd acts on a child, seduction of a minor, sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography.
Prosecutors claim that when she was arrested, she had a photograph of one of the victims in her wallet, jewelry with his initials, and love letters in her classroom.
Though she posted a $100,000 bond in March and was released, Ma was back in jail days later after she was accused of trying to communicate with one of the boys while out on bail. She was re-arrested, and has been held in jail without bail since then.
Ma was one of five local teachers named San Diego County “Teacher of the Year” early last year by the San Diego County Office of Education.
During a hearing in March 2023, Ma first pleaded not guilty to 15 felony charges. On Tuesday, she again pleaded not guilty to the charges in an arraignment on information, which happens after a preliminary hearing on felony charges. Ma’s preliminary hearing was held last month.
Judge Enrique Camarena set a pre-trial readiness conference for the case on March 8, and a prospective start of Ma’s trial on April 26.
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