Bay Area School Aide Sent 'Harmful' Sexual Material To Student: Police

SAN JOSE, CA — A Bay Area classroom aide has been arrested on suspicion of annoying or molesting a high school student and sending harmful material to minors, police said.

Police say Heriberto Plascencia, 31, of San Jose, cultivated an inappropriate relationship with a student at Branham High School while working there as an aide. Investigators are asking additional potential victims to come forward.

While working at Branham High School, he sent the sexual material to at least one student and "victimized" one another, according to the San Jose Police Department. It's unclear what was in the material that Plascencia is accused of sending.

Investigators became aware of the allegations on Friday, May 15, police said. Over the course of a week, they secured enough probable cause for an arrest, police said.

On Thursday, officers, with the help of the SJPD Human Trafficking Task Force and SJPD Megan’s Law Detail, Detectives, took the 31-year-old into custody on suspicion of annoying or molesting a minor and sending harmful matter to a child, police said.

"Due to Suspect Plascencia’s position of trust, Detectives believe there may be additional victims," police said. "Anyone with information about this case or similar cases is asked to contact Detective Widmer #4581 of the San José Police ICAC Task Force via email: 4581@sanjoseca.gov or 408-277-3214."