DENVER — A security guard at South High School was arrested late Monday on suspicion of sexting with two underage students, the school said in a letter to parents Tuesday.
Several students told school officials that Enrique Vega, 22, was involved in inappropriate texting with two female students, including lewd photos and messages, the school said.
Vega was placed on leave and was arrested on suspicion of sexual exploitation of a child and sexual assault, the school said.
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“At this time, it’s believed the allegations all stem from text messages and photographs,” the school reported.
Vega does not appear to have previous arrests in Colorado.
One man came to Vega’s defense Tuesday and he says the charges are false because he claims Enrique is gay. The man says Vega has been framed. “He’s one honest and truthful person and I know because he’s my partner,” says Israel Hernandez. “I don’t know what they’re trying to get away with. I honestly don’t know.”
The friends of the alleged victims voiced outrage. “I’m shocked because I would never have guessed something like that,” one student says. “Weird because I’ve never been around so much police at South,” another one adds.
Vega’s partner defends him. “All I am saying is he would not do such a thing. I guarantee you that.”
Hernandez says Vega was hired to protect South High School students and not harm them.
The judge did not find probably cause of a charge of sexual assault Tuesday, and so police now have three days to investigate further.
Vega was arraigned on a charge of sexual exploitation of a child and the judge set bond at $25,000.