Two LGBTQ, San Diego-area educators arrested on child sex crimes charges

Charles Thomas Boyd De Freitas, 41, was arrested by the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force on March 20 and charged with distributing lewd content to a minor and possession of child pornography, the San Diego Police Department said in a press release.

An investigation was launched after a minor reported that De Freitas had sent and requested illicit images from the minor through a social media app.

"Detectives executed a search warrant and seized multiple devices that will be analyzed for additional evidence related to child sexual abuse materials," the press release stated.

Investigators are looking into whether there are other victims, as De Freitas had worked in the San Diego Unified School District for more than 13 years.

According to De Freitas’ LinkedIn, he worked as a mathematics and science teacher from September 2009 to October 2022. De Freitas also served as the district’s mathematics department chair between August 2017 and October 2022. Both positions were at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts. Between June 2022 and March 2024, De Freitas served as the associate principal of Hoover High School.

De Freitas wrote in his LinkedIn bio: "Strong history of working with adults in a collaborative team setting to redefine and develop systems to improve alignment so systems are [functioning] in a supportive manner and not [against] each other. This means tackling institutional and systemic racism by leading tough conversations around what it means to be a leader in the modern day work space."

De Freitas was booked into the Central Detention Facility. his arraignment is scheduled for Friday, March 28.

Instagram users claiming to be former students of De Freitas, in response to the news, posted their own experiences with the educator on the social media platform.

"Damn I remember reporting him to administration at SCPA a couple years ago [because] he kept making weird comments towards me and my friends and no one took it seriously except my mom," one user wrote.

Another user wrote that they made De Freitas "cry" after "ruin[ing] his ice breaker activity" by writing the N-word on the board "and he started sobbing and had a panic attack and walked out." the user added that this reportedly occurred on the first day of classes.

Another user added that De Freitas was allegedly "so excited" after "he taught us sex ed," adding that "his public twitter" included links and replies to pornography.

"And let’s not forget that SCPA let him lead sex ed," another user added.

Mt Carmel High School teacher Stacey Michelle Walker was arrested on March 20 by San Diego Police Department detectives and in regards to the sexual assault of a student, a press release states. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, she was reportedly arrested on suspicion of 17 felony counts that include luring a minor.

The alleged assaults took place between 2017 and 2019. Walker reportedly began engaging with the 15-year-old female victim in conversations that turned sexual, with the teacher and student exchanging photographs, videos, and explicit text messages.

Walker also allegedly met with the victim several times and engaged in sexual acts, with the sexual acts continuing after the victim turned 18.

The victim reported the assaults to police in July and a police investigation was launched.

Poway Unified School District spokesperson Christine Paik said the school district was made aware of the allegations and investigation int Walker in August, with the teacher being placed on leave as an internal investigation was conducted.

Mt. Carmel Principal Yael Bozzay said in a message to parents that Walker, who was not named in the message, had not taught at Mt. Carmel this school year.

Walker had reportedly been a student at the school herself, later returning as a drama and teacher tech teacher.