Case dismissed against San Luis teacher

  A Cesar Chavez Elementary School teacher accused of inappropriate sexual conduct with several of his students is no longer facing any charges.

  According to Yuma County attorney Jon Smith, a grand jury, after reviewing evidence in the case, declined to hand down an indictment against Miguel Angel Chavez.

  "Unless some new information is provided, the case is over," Smith said. "The grand jury was unable to find probable cause."

  Chavez was charged with seven felonies, including five counts of aggravated assault and two counts of sexual abuse, following an investigation of allegations made against him by eight students.

  He was charged with the seven felonies on March 31 in Somerton Justice Court before Justice of the Peace pro tem Manny Figueroa.

  Smith said when a suspect is charged, a preliminary hearing is held or the case is sent to a grand jury for review to determine whether there is enough probable cause.

  The county attorney's office chose to send this case to the grand jury, Smith said. However, the grand jury returned a "no-bill,"  meaning there was not enough probable cause to determine a crime had been committed.

  On March 27, Chavez was arrested school grounds and taken to the San Luis Police Department for further questioning.

  During his questioning, Chavez denied the allegations saying the only thing he was guilty of was "being too friendly with his students."

  Chavez also stated during his questioning that he had been previously warned by school administration about his actions.

   According to court records, six of the eight victims were interviewed at Amberly's Place, where four claimed Chavez touched them on the legs and breasts and two others said he physically abused them.

  "When we interviewed the girls, we did so in good faith," said Lt. Gerardo Torres, of the San Luis Police Department. "When you have eight young girls making the same allegations you have to believe they are telling you the truth."

  Torres said the written statements the girls gave the school principal provided police with the probable cause to detain and arrest Chavez.

  Chavez was booked into the Yuma County jail during the early morning hours of March 28.