ARVADA, Colo. -- An assistant principal at Arvada High School admitted to police that he was having an affair with a student after his wife found sexually explicit messages on his Facebook page and forced him to turn himself in, according to an arrest affidavit.
Anthony Alvarez, 40, was arrested Thursday night on charges of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust.
According to the affidavit, Alvarez's wife caught him talking dirty on the phone to a girl on Wednesday and also found X-rated interactions between the two on his Facebook page.
Alvarez told police he met the girl when he was a teacher at Everitt Middle School in Wheat Ridge and she was in 7th grade, according to the affidavit.
He told police the girl, who was now a 15-year-old student at Arvada High, would come into his office, talk to him daily, and entice him by whispering dirty words to him.
He told police that the girl "was the one who came on to him," according to the affidavit.
"He said he was not a predator and he never before had any sexual relationship or sexual contact with anyone under the age of 18. He has had affairs before but they were over the age of 18," according to the affidavit.
Girl Says Alvarez Was 'Blackmailing Her
When police interviewed the girl, she said that she and Alvarez have had a relationship for the past 6 to 8 months.
She said she felt like Alvarez was "blackmailing" her, according to the affidavit.
She said he touched her chest and butt on occasion, and one time, showed her his erection while they were in his office, according to the affidavit.
She said on Aug. 9, Alvarez offered her a ride home after school and she accepted because it was hot outside.
She said he drove her to the Landmark movie theater and parked. In the car, he told her to rub his nipples, touch herself, rub his private area, then lick his penis, according to the affidavit.
She said she was scared and the doors to the car were locked.
She said he eventually opened the door and she went into the theaters to wash her mouth and call her parents.
When the officer told the girl that they would like to interview her further at the Children's Advocacy Center, the girl began to cry, fearing that she would be removed from her home, the affidavit said.
The officer assured her that they would not remove her from her parent's custody.
Jeffco School District Puts Alvarez On Paid Administrative Leave
Alvarez has been an assistant principal at Arvada High School since 2008.
He has been with the Jeffco Public Schools District since 2000.
The school district has placed him on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, police said.
Investigators said they are still in the process of conducting interviews related to the case.
The school district sent the following letter to parents at Arvada High School:
Dear Arvada High School Parents,
A Colorado Department of Education rule requires that schools notify parents when a staff member is arrested or charged with violating certain laws.
This notice is to inform you that Anthony Alvarez, an assistant principal at Arvada High School, who has worked at the school since 2008 and has been with Jeffco Public Schools since 2000, was arrested and charged with:
◦Suspicion of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust.
He has been placed on administrative leave.
Please remember that under state and federal laws, this person is innocent until proven guilty.
The Colorado Department of Education rule prohibits any description in the notice of the underlying fact of the arrest/charge.
Police have seized Alvarez's computer and cell phone as part of the investigation.
At a hearing Thursday morning, bond was set at $5,000. If he makes bond,
Alvarez will not be allowed to use the Internet or a computer, will not be allowed contact with victim, and will not be allowed contact with anyone under the age of 18.
The district attorney's have until Sept. 1 to file charges against him.
He will be back in court on Sept. 1 at 10 a.m.
