An Arizona teacher was seen grinning in court after he was arrested for allegedly having sex with minors.
Eric Chapman, 43, a teacher and head baseball coach at Cortez High School in Phoenix, was arrested on Wednesday after he was found to be sending nude photographs of himself to a minor online, according to court documents obtained by ABC 15.
An investigation into Chapman began on March 25 after the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a tip about him from the National Center for Missing and Exploited children, the outlet reported.
Once authorities got into his social media accounts, they identified him as a teacher at the school and contacted him about their findings.
He then admitted to using a social media account and also filming sexual content in multiple areas throughout the school’s campus, as well as in his car, records showed.
Those interactions involved three students – two current and one former. The youngest victim was just 16-years-old.
He made his initial court appearance on Thursday as he was seen smiling ear to ear while he stood before a judge in a virtual hearing.
The married teacher also confessed to having downloaded several hundred child pornography images and videos on his phone and computer, the filing stated.
Eric Chapman, 43, was seen smirking in court after he was arrested for allegedly having sex with three minors at Cortez High School in Phoenix, Arizona
He admitted to using a social media account and also filming sexual content in multiple areas throughout the school’s campus (pictured), as well as in his car
Officials found several images of males, including children as young as seven-year-olds in those files, Fox 10 Phoenix reported.
Although police have not identified the three victims, they did say that Chapman met them through online dating apps, per the outlet.
Ashley Stetson, with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, said the most concerning aspect of the case was that Chapman admitted these alleged actions happened recently.
‘What’s concerning to the state is when officers interviewed the suspect, he admitted to sexual acts happening as recently as last week,’ Stetson said during his hearing.
‘The state believes he is a danger to the community. As well as his position as a coach and a teacher, he is in a position of trust, and the state believes that a higher bond is appropriate,’ she added.
He faces multiple counts of sexual conduct with a minor and sexual exploitation of a minor. Chapman is being held on a $250,000 cash bond.
In a statement to parents the Glendale Union High School District addressed the allegations against Chapman and confirmed he is no longer employed.
‘We are writing to inform you that Cortez High School administration was notified by the Phoenix Police Department that one of our teachers was arrested on charges related to crimes against children,’ the district said.
He faces multiple counts of sexual conduct with a minor and sexual exploitation of a minor. Chapman is being held on a $250,000 cash bond
‘Upon learning of the allegations, school and district administration took immediate action. The teacher has been relieved of all duties. The Glendale Union High School District takes these matters seriously and works closely with law enforcement to support their investigations and ensure student safety.
‘As this is an active police investigation, we are unable to share further details. Thank you for your continued partnership and support.’
After hearing about his alleged crimes, Jilwanna Reed, a mother of two students at the school, said it was ‘disturbing’ to learn.
‘I think that is very, very disturbing,’ she told Fox 10.
Another parent echoed her concerns, adding: ‘It’s scary in this day and age to send your kid to school, because you have no idea what’s going to happen.’
DailyMail.com contacted Glendale Union High School District for comment.
