News

Beaumont High School teacher accused of having sex with student

Published September 22, 2017 12:54 PM

News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 have learned a Beaumont High School teacher who was arrested for allegedly having sex with a student, once taught in La Quinta.

During an investigation by a Beaumont Police detective, the victim recently disclosed that there has been unlawful sexual intercourse occurring for the past few months by a teacher.

The investigation further revealed there were inappropriate communications between the teacher and student through various messaging platforms.

The teacher has been identified as 32-year-old Samantha Lee Ciotta, of Banning. Ciotta was previously placed on administrative leave by the Beaumont Unified School District while the Beaumont Police Department conducted an investigation.

She was arrested on Wednesday afternoon in Banning and was later booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility for unlawful sexual intercourse and oral copulation with a minor.

Ciotta was released from custody on Thursday after posting $150,000 bond.

The Beaumont Unified School District has fully cooperated with the Beaumont Police Department during this investigation.

KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 reached out to the school district and they issued this statement:

The Beaumont Unified School District administration has been informed of allegations of misconduct by a Beaumont High School teacher. The teacher is on administrative leave while the District conducts a thorough investigation.

– Francinni Zabata
Communications Officer for Beaumont Unified School District

We reached out to Desert Sands Unified School District to confirm the La Quinta connection. Public Information Officer Mary Perry said Ciotta was hired in the district in 2011 as a guest teacher and later as an English teacher at La Quinta High School. Perry said Ciotta resigned in good standing in 2015.

Beaumont detectives believe that there may be other victims and encourage anyone with any information about this investigation to contact Detective Wells of the Beaumont Police Department at 951-769-8500.

Information may also be reported anonymously at crimetips@beaumontpd.org or online at http://www.beaumontpd.org/report-a-crime.