Ex-School Official Accused of Sex With Student

A former assistant principal at Rancho Alamitos High School in Garden Grove has been charged with having sex with a 17-year-old student who subsequently gave birth to his child, police said Wednesday.

Miguel Vivanco, 42, faces two counts of having unlawful intercourse with a minor, authorities said. The Costa Mesa resident was expected to surrender this morning at Orange County Municipal Court in Westminster.

Vivanco resigned from his position March 13, when Garden Grove Unified School District officials notified police that he might have had a sexual relationship with a former student, officials said. Police said their investigation revealed that the former student, now 19, became pregnant after at least two sexual encounters with Vivanco. Garden Grove Police Lt. John Woods said the incidents took place two years ago.

Alan Trudell, a spokesman for the school district, said officials contacted the state Commission on Teacher Credentialing as well as police when they learned of the allegations.

District Supt. Ronald N. Walter and Rancho Alamitos Principal Thomas Robins could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

A judge has set bail for Vivanco at $75,000, Deputy Dist. Atty. Rebecca Heinlein said. If convicted, Vivanco would face a maximum sentence of three years and eight months in prison, she said.

Vivanco could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Neighbors said they had not seen him or his family for several days and were not aware that he had resigned from Rancho Alamitos.

“He’s always been a nice guy, very friendly,” said Lee Galvan, who lives across the street from Vivanco. “He has invited us over to his kids’ birthday parties, and he and his family have come to our kids’ birthday parties,” he said.

Vivanco has lived in the well-kept, middle-class neighborhood for 10 years, neighbors said.