BRYAN Mojica, a public school teacher on Tinian, is accused of inappropriately touching four students who are 14 and 15 years old.
Mojica, 24, was charged with sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree, assault and battery, and strangulation.
In a statement, the Public School System said it “takes this matter seriously because we always want to ensure that all of our students are safe at all times.”
In an interview with the students conducted by the Division of Youth Services, one of the victims said Mojica sexually harassed him while in class.
He said Mojica would hug him and his other classmates and touch them inappropriately.
The student said Mojica told him not to tell anyone about it. He said when he told Mojica that he was uncomfortable and to stop touching him, Mojica said, “I’m going to keep doing it.”
The student likewise alleged that Mojica rear choked him even though he told the teacher to let him go.
The three other minor students recounted similar incidents that involved them and Mojica.
One of them said he had witnessed Mojica inappropriately touch his other classmates.
According to police detective Lawrence Mendiola, a counselor from Tinian Jr./Sr. High School called Department of Public Safety-Tinian on Jan. 29, 2021 to report an allegation that Mojica inappropriately touched a minor student.
On Monday, Mojica appeared before Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho who imposed a $20,000 cash bail on the teacher and remanded him to the custody of the Department of Corrections.
Mojica was ordered to return to court on Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. for preliminary hearing and on Feb. 23 for arraignment.
Assistant Public Defender Vina Seelam was appointed by the court to represent Mojica while Assistant Attorney General Steve Kessel appeared for the government.
