SAN JOSE — A San Jose middle school assistant principal was arrested in a Super Bowl week undercover sting after police say he offered to pay for sex with someone he believed was a 13-year-old boy.
Ruben Guzman, 31, of San Jose, is an assistant principal at Sunrise Middle School who was arrested Feb. 3 on suspicion of soliciting a minor for sex after being caught in an undercover online police sting, authorities said. (San Jose Police Dept.)
Ruben Guzman, 31, of San Jose, was taken into custody Feb. 3 after allegedly arranging to meet the child — who was actually a San Jose police officer posing online as a teen — and instead was met by officers with the department’s Covert Response Unit.
Police allege that Guzman communicated with the undercover officer, who identified as a teen boy, and “acknowledged the child was underage and told the minor that he wanted to engage in sexual acts, further enticing the minor by offering money in exchange,” according to an SJPD news release. He was arrested later that day.
Investigators said a search of Guzman and his vehicle revealed items “consistent with the planned encounter,” though police did not detail what those items were.
Authorities later confirmed Guzman works at Sunrise Middle School in San Jose, where he is listed as an assistant principal and math teacher. Police said the school administration was notified and is cooperating with the investigation.
Attempts to reach Guzman for comment were unsuccessful.
In a statement, school officials said Guzman “was removed from campus right away and will have no further contact with students.”
“Since then, we have spoken with students in age-appropriate ways, communicated directly with families, and made counseling support available on campus,” the statement said. “We have also provided clear ways for anyone in our community to share concerns … While this is deeply upsetting, it does not reflect who we are as a school. Our focus remains on supporting our students and families.”
Guzman was booked at the Santa Clara County jail on suspicion of felony and misdemeanor offenses related to communicating with a minor for sex. Jail records show he is no longer in custody. Detectives were expected to present the case to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office for charging review.
His arrest was part of a broader undercover operation conducted by SJPD’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force in coordination with the FBI and other federal and local agencies during Super Bowl week, a period when law enforcement agencies often increase attention on human trafficking and child exploitation.
Along with Guzman, 11 other Bay Area men were arrested in the sweep, in which officers posed as underage children across various online platforms and forums to identify adults seeking to solicit sex. The men ranged in age from 24 to 72.
The operation involved SJPD, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, police departments in Fremont, Menlo Park, Newark, San Francisco and Greenfield, as well as the sheriff’s offices in Santa Clara and Napa counties. Authorities said investigations remain ongoing.
Anyone with additional information about Guzman’s conduct can call 408-277-4102 or email Detective Mark Minten at 4269@sanjoseca.gov. Tips can also be left with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867 or at siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org.