Candidates for a 25th Judicial District judge vacancy will be interviewed on Sept. 8 at the Finney County Courthouse. Gavel
Chula Vista, California – Jacqueline Ma, a former Lincoln Acres Elementary School teacher once celebrated as a “Teacher of the Year” for San Diego County, was sentenced Friday to 30 years to life in state prison for engaging in sexual relationships with two former students. The sentence, handed down by San Diego Superior Court Judge Enrique Camarena, includes a stipulation that Ma will not be eligible for parole for 30 years.
The courtroom in Chula Vista saw a tearful Ma, 36, in a blue prisoner’s uniform and restraints, read a prepared statement admitting to the sex crimes. “I shamed the title of teacher,” she said, with a family member observing from the gallery. Ma confessed to manipulating the boys, stating, “I exerted power and control and deceived them into thinking I was their friend.”
In February, Ma, who was named National City’s “Teacher of the Year,” pleaded guilty to multiple sexual misconduct charges. Judge Camarena ordered her to register as a sex offender, emphasizing that she “groomed her students in plain sight” and evaded immediate detection due to her respected status as an award-winning educator. Ma will receive credit for the 913 days she has already spent in custody.
Prosecutors revealed that Ma groomed two boys, initiating a sexual relationship with one of them when he was just 12 years old. Ma’s initial potential sentence could have reached 165 years to life before her guilty plea to four sex crime counts, including lewd acts on a child and possessing child sexual abuse material.
During the sentencing hearing, Ma offered a tearful apology, expressing deep shame for her actions. She acknowledged manipulating and deceiving the boys, betraying the trust placed in her by their families. “I ripped away their childhood,” Ma stated, lamenting that her selfishness superseded the boys’ best interests.
Defense attorney Patrick Griffin explained that Ma’s guilty plea and agreement to the 30-year-to-life sentence were “the right thing to do” to spare the victims the trauma of a trial. He noted that she has been undergoing therapy while incarcerated to understand her actions but “does not expect forgiveness.” Deputy District Attorney Drew Hart conveyed the sentiments of one of the boys’ mothers, who was reportedly “speechless” at the betrayal of trust.
Judge Camarena underscored that the “grooming activity occurred in plain sight” due to Ma’s esteemed reputation. He characterized her actions as more than a “single lapse of judgment,” labeling them as “a prolonged pattern of child sexual abuse.”
The investigation began after the mother of one of the victims discovered concerning messages between her son and Ma. Testimony at a preliminary hearing revealed that Ma instructed the boy to delete messages or use “vanish mode.” Subsequent investigation uncovered numerous explicit messages and photographs on Ma’s phone, including admissions of love for one of the boys and regret that their relationship would not last.
While initially charged in connection with one boy, additional charges were later added involving a second minor. Testimony revealed sexually charged messages with the second boy starting when he was 11, and an instance where he reported Ma removing her shirt in a classroom. Investigators also found evidence that Ma groomed both boys with gifts.
If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual abuse you can call 800-656-HOPE (4673).
