Phoenix teacher, coach accused in sexual exploitation of minor

by Matt Loper

Phoenix police arrested the head football coach of Cortez High School on Monday morning on suspicion of illegal online sexual activity with a minor.

Jeffrey J. Huelster, 44, was arrested on suspicion of sexual luring of a minor and sexual exploitation of a minor, said Trent Crump, spokesman for the Phoenix Police Department.

Huelster was hired three years ago as a social studies teacher and the head coach of the varsity football team, said Kim Mesquita, spokeswoman for the Glendale Union High School District.

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The school is in the Glendale Union district, near Dunlap and 31st avenues in Phoenix.

Cortez High School Principal Reid Chitwood sent a letter home to parents noting Phoenix police informed school officials on Monday that Huelster was taken into custody.

“Prior to being hired, our district office conducted a thorough background and fingerprint check and found no concerns related to his background,” Chitwood said in the letter.

He added: “A substitute teacher has been hired to cover Mr. Huelster’s classes pending the outcome of the Phoenix Police Department’s investigation. As always, the education, welfare, and safety of our students is paramount in our minds. The Phoenix Police Department has requested that you contact them if you have any questions concerning this matter.”

Detectives from the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force served a search warrant about 7 a.m. near 67th Avenue and Union Hills Drive in Glendale in search of forensic evidence, Crump said.

Detectives also served a warrant at Cortez High School in search of some of Huelster’s personal property.

The investigation began in North Dakota and led investigators to Arizona, Crump said.

Detectives are still investigating. No other details are available.

Source : tucsoncitizen