A high school math teacher who taught in La Mesa faces criminal charges alleging sex crimes involving a 17-year-old student, according to authorities and court documents.
The defendant, Michael Davis, pleaded not guilty in San Diego Superior Court earlier this month to 12 felony counts. Davis, 34, taught at The Learning Choice Academy, which offers hybrid homeschooling and has a location in La Mesa.
San Diego police arrested him April 8, records indicate. At a hearing Tuesday, Judge Euketa Oliver agreed to lower his bail from $200,000 to $50,000, over the objection of the prosecution. Davis has since posted bond and been released.
According to the complaint filed by the District Attorney’s Office, the allegations cover a period from mid-February to the end of March. The complaint includes several charges alleging he had sex with a minor who was more than three years younger than him.
Davis faces up to 10 years in custody if convicted on all counts.
NBC San Diego first reported the case.
Deputy District Attorney Vanessa Gerard, the prosecutor, said the defendant had a relationship with a 17-year-old student.
“It is a highly, highly inappropriate relationship,” Gerard said. “He is in a position of power and he took advantage of the vulnerabilities of a student.”
Davis’ attorney, Erik Friis, declined to comment Thursday on behalf of himself and his client. In court documents filed earlier this week, the attorney said the alleged sexual activity was consensual and that Davis has no prior criminal record.
A spokesperson for The Learning Choice Academy said Davis ed the school in August 2022. She said the school first learned of the allegations on the day of his arrest, and said he has been placed on istrative leave pending the investigation.
“While we have no reason to believe any abuse occurred on campus or in connection with the School, TLC is fully cooperating with law enforcement,” the school said in a statement.
The school also said it “can confirm that the School never received any complaints or suspicions of child abuse or boundaries violations by this employee before now.”
“Please know that the safety and well-being of all TLC students is always the School’s highest priority,” the statement reads. It notes that employees undergo “a thorough criminal background and reference check process,” and that staff “receive ongoing training to ensure the highest standards of professional conduct and student safety.”
“TLC also maintains a comprehensive complaint process to ensure that any potential misconduct is detected, halted, and remediated as early as possible,” the statement reads.
Davis’ preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 29.
Staff writer Caleb Lunetta contributed to this report.
