L.A. teacher ‘willing to go to jail’ for teen: Prosecutors

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A Los Angeles middle school teacher accused of sexually abusing a male student allegedly described the teen as her “crystal meth” and was willing to “go to jail for him.”

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Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced last week that Colleen Jo Matarico, a 43-year-old mother of two and grandmother, was arrested and charged with seven felony counts of committing lewd acts on a boy she met when he was 12.

Matarico, who is also facing one felony count of furnishing a controlled substance — cannabis — to a minor, has pleaded not guilty.

“The accusations against Ms. Matarico are deeply disturbing and violate the trust that was placed in her by the students, their families, and the entire community,” District Attorney Gascon said in a statement.

“I want to acknowledge the courage of the young victim and his decision to report the abuse. Our office and investigators also are working to identify any potential additional victims. The office will seek justice for the victim and those affected by Matarico’s actions.”

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The criminal complaint alleged the sexual abuse lasted more than a year. Los Angeles police last week said the teacher “groomed” her victim.

During an arraignment hearing Tuesday, prosecutors detailed evidence against Matarico including social media and text messages she alleged sent to the victim and his friend.

“Multiple people in her family have pleaded with her, asked for her to stop the relationship (with the boy),” Deputy Dist. Atty. Ariel Anson said in court, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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Anson said Matarico began the relationship when the boy turned 13, and most of the alleged abuse occurred between August and November 2023.

The prosecutor said, after learning she was being investigated, Matarico’s conduct became “more severe.”

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In recent days, the accused is alleged to have driven to the victim’s new high school and waited for him. At the end of the school day, authorities allege they had an sexual encounter.

In addition, the accused is alleged to have contacted the victim’s friend on Instagram to continue communicating with the boy.

“He is her crystal meth,” Anson said, citing text messages authorities obtained during the investigation but not presented to the court.

Other messages alleged Matarico told the teen she was in love with him and that she left her husband because of the relationship. The accused also wrote that he was “the only person she would go to jail for.”

Matarico remains in jail after the judge set bail at $590,000.

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