O.C. teacher accused of child molestation, possessing child porn

A longtime Orange County teacher was arrested Monday on suspicion of child molestation and possession of child pornography, authorities said.

Ezequiel Barragan, 48, is accused of having sexual contact with a boy under the age of 14 over the last two years, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Investigators would not disclose in what capacity Barragan, a Spanish teacher at Dana Hills High School in Dana Point, knew the alleged victim.

The Aliso Viejo resident was also in possession of child pornography, authorities alleged.

Investigators believe there may be other victims. During the last 20 years, Barragan has taught Little League teams as well as junior and high school sports teams.

Barragan also volunteered with the nonprofit Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children, which provides mentoring and courtroom representation for abused and abandoned children, officials said.

The investigation into Barragan was conducted initially by the United States Postal Service but later involved the county’s child exploitation task force, sheriff’s officials said.

Barragan is being held in County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail, and he’s scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday. It’s unclear if he’s retained an attorney.

A spokesman for Barragan’s employer, the Capistrano Unified School District, could not be reached for comment.

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