Phoenix, Arizona — A high school teacher and baseball coach in Arizona is facing multiple child sex crime charges after allegedly engaging in sexual acts with students and recording the encounters on school grounds. Shockingly, he appeared to smile during his initial court appearance.
Eric Curtis Chapman, 43, a teacher at Cortez High School in Phoenix, was arrested on Wednesday following a tip-off that led investigators to explicit images he allegedly sent to underage individuals.
According to court documents obtained by Fox10, authorities uncovered additional evidence suggesting Chapman admitted to several sexual encounters with students, some of which he filmed in various locations across the school campus.
During a virtual hearing on Thursday, Chapman appeared on video with a wide grin, despite the serious charges he is facing.
Investigators say Chapman confessed to engaging in sexual conduct with two current underage students, as well as with a former student who is now an adult.
“What’s concerning to the state is when officers interviewed the suspect, he admitted to sexual acts happening as recently as last week,” said prosecutor Ashley Stetson during the hearing.
Court filings also allege that Chapman possessed and downloaded hundreds of videos and images involving the sexual exploitation of minors.
The charges filed against him include multiple counts of sexual conduct with a minor and sexual exploitation of a minor. He is currently being held on a $250,000 cash-only bond.
The arrest has sparked concern and outrage among parents in the community. “It’s scary in this day and age to send your kid to school, because you have no idea what’s going to happen,” said one parent whose child attends Cortez High School.
Following the arrest, the Glendale Union High School District confirmed Chapman’s immediate dismissal from his duties. “Upon learning of the allegations, school and district administration took immediate action,” the district said in a statement issued to parents.
“The teacher has been relieved of all duties. The Glendale Union High School District takes these matters seriously and works closely with law enforcement to support their investigations and ensure student safety,” the statement added.
