Students react to teacher’s arrest in sexual assault case
A Palm Springs teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl is out on bail Wednesday night.
Jesse Adam Goff, 33, is an independent study teacher who specializes in special education at Mojave River Academy in Palm Springs.
Goff was arrested Tuesday night charged with felony sex crimes involving a minor.
Shock was the common feeling for parents and students at Mojave River Academy on Wednesday.
Delany is in the 10th grade and had Goff as a teacher.
“I never thought anything out of the ordinary about him. He’s actually a really nice guy. Just the other day he was giving me some licorice he had bought and we were talking. He’s been helping me through a lot so I was actually surprised to hear about it,” Delany said.
Goff has been a teacher at the academy since 2012.
Immediately after the incident the school placed Goff on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation.
“The administration of Palm Springs Mojave River Academy was deeply disturbed to learn of the arrest of Jesse Goff yesterday by the Riverside Sheriff’s Department on charges related to continuous sexual assault of a minor,” said Oro Grande School District Superintendent Heather Griggs.
Officials said Goff met the girl on the Internet and she was not one of his students.
They are urging parents to always be aware of their child’s Internet use.
“They can go anywhere alone with these devices and have access to the internet where they can possibly communicate with someone who is attempting to commit a crime,” public information officer with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Armando Munoz said.
Which is what many parents said they’re doing.
“You have to be on top of your kids but you don’t expect this from a teacher,” parent, Elena Gonzales said.
“I always observe my son being on the computer I know what he’s watching,” parent Angelina Sanchez said.
In the meantime, parents said this incident makes them think twice about who is teaching their children.
Goff is expected to appear in court in June.
