Vintage teacher arraigned on 10 sex charges

By MARSHA DORGAN
Register Staff Writer

The Vintage High School teacher charged with numerous counts of child molestation was arraigned in Sonoma County court this morning.

Josefat (Joe) Estrada, 35, was arrested last weekend at his Napa home in the 3200 block of Soscol Avenue. At his arraignment, he was charged with ten counts of oral copulation with a minor and lewd acts.

Estrada, a Vintage math teacher, was a close friend of the male victim and his family, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department.

The boy, now 18, who is the only victim, is not a Vintage student, principal Eric Schneider said. “This unfortunate incident does not involve any students at our school.”

Police said the alleged molestations started when the boy was 14 and continued for about two years. They happened when Estrada and the boy were living in Sonoma County.

Estrada started teaching at Vintage in 2005.

“He is on unpaid administrative leave,” said Sharyn Lindsey, school district assistant superintendent.

That will be his status with the school district while the criminal charges against him go through the court proceedings, Lindsey said. “We have also notified the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.”

Lindsey said prior to Estrada being hired at Vintage he was fingerprinted by the commission and the school district as part of performing a background check.

“We found nothing to question his background,” she said.

Lindsey said teachers familiar with Estrada’s students will take over his teaching duties. “We also have a substitute teacher available.”

Estrada is being held in the Sonoma County jail on $235,000 bail.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 24, to enter a plea and request a bail reduction hearing.

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