SANTA CRUZ — A 42-year-old high school math teacher is facing arraignment this week on allegations of “grooming” a 17-year-old student with alleged intention of child sexual exploitation, police said Monday.
Santa Cruz Police Department detectives arrested Trung Minh Lai on Friday after he allegedly arranged to meet with a student off campus to engage in lewd acts, according to a department press release.
The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office filed amended charges Monday including felonies dated June 6 related to communicating with a minor for a lewd act and attempted unlawful sexual intercourse. An additional felony count, dated Friday, related to meeting a minor for lewd purposes. Lai also faces a June 6 misdemeanor charge for child molestation. Lai, who posted $30,000 bail and was released over the weekend, according to court documents, is set to appear before Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Denine Guy at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday.