A Spanish teacher at the Arizona Conservatory for the Arts and Academics Secondary School, Ernesto Moncada-Cota, has been booked into the Maricopa County Jail for having an inappropriate relationship with one of his students.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, on January 2, 2024, administrators for the Arizona Conservatory for the Arts and Academics Secondary school became aware of the possibility of inappropriate conduct that involved a student and one of the teachers of the school. Phoenix police officers responded and contacted the victim of the incident. Detectives ultimately took over the case and established probable cause to arrest the teacher, identified as the 50-year-old Moncada-Cota.
On January 2, 2024, Moncada-Cota was located and arrested. After being arrested, Moncada-Cota was booked into jail on multiple felony charges to include sexual misconduct with a minor.
Ernesto Moncada biography via ACAA website:
Ernesto Moncada teaches Spanish at the Arizona Conservatory for Arts and Academics (ACAA)- Secondary Campus. Born and raised in Mexico City, he has been a resident of Phoenix since the early 2000s. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design in 1997, and he has taught English in Mexico, as well as Spanish, Visual Arts, Drama, Speech, Debate, Life Skills, and Life Management in the United States for grades 7th to 12th; he has also taught ESL to adults.
Furthermore, Mr. Moncada is the author of the novel Cayend, the short-story collection “Siete Pares de Ojos” (Seven Pairs of Eyes), and the poetry collection “Posías Malías” (You Possessed Malías). He is also a playwright, actor, and a stage director, as well as the lead for Arcana Collective, an experimental theater troupe, and the co-founder of the Los Subtítulos, the only bilingual improv troupe in Arizona. In addition, Mr. Moncada is a visual artist, a stand-up comedian, MC, sideshow and stilt performer, and a drummer of sorts. In 2008, he began to produce and host variety shows in Downtown Phoenix!
The Phoenix Police Department is encouraging all parents “to discuss with their children the nature of what an appropriate and inappropriate relationship with an adult looks like. Also, we continue to ask for all students and faculty involved in the educational experience of all children, to say something if something is seen or heard.”
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