Award-Winning Former San Jose Teacher Ruben Guzman Faces Federal Child Sex Trafficking Charges

 

Former San Jose Teacher and Assistant Principal Ruben Guzman Accused of Attempting to Sex Traffic a 13-Year-Old Girl

On February 3, 2026, Ruben Guzman, 32, a former math teacher and assistant principal at Sunrise Middle School in San Jose, California, was arrested during an undercover child exploitation operation.

According to federal prosecutors, Guzman used an online platform to communicate with someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl.

He allegedly negotiated sexual acts in exchange for money, despite knowing the child's age.

But there was no 13-year-old girl waiting for him.

He had been communicating with an undercover officer.

When Guzman arrived at the designated meeting location in San Jose, police arrested him.

The operation was conducted by the San Jose Police Department and FBI as part of a larger investigation into human trafficking and child exploitation ahead of Super Bowl LX.

In September 2026, a federal grand jury indicted Guzman on two charges:

• Attempted sex trafficking of a minor

• Attempted coercion and enticement of a minor

Guzman was arraigned on September 23 and remained in federal custody.

If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years for the trafficking charge, a mandatory minimum of 10 years for enticement, and a potential maximum sentence of life in prison.

Before his arrest, Guzman had spent approximately six years working at Sunrise Middle School.

He was reportedly recognized as a finalist for California Teacher of the Year in 2024 and received an award from the San Francisco 49ers for his classroom performance.

Following his arrest, school administrators removed him from employment and barred him from campus.

Officials emphasized that the allegations did not involve Sunrise Middle School students or school property.

The federal charges remain pending, and Guzman has not been convicted.

A man trusted to teach children and help lead their school allegedly arranged to pay for sex with someone he believed was 13 years old.

Awards, professional titles, and a reputation for being good with kids don't make someone incapable of exploiting them. And a fucking classroom should never be mistaken for proof of character.