OC High School Teacher Arrested For Kissing, Hugging Female Students

SANTA ANA (CBS) — A Santa Ana high school teacher and wrestling coach was arrested Tuesday on misdemeanor charges of fondling two students.

Joseph Manuel Orduna, 63, of Irvine, is charged with two misdemeanor counts of child annoyance, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

Orduna, who was a biology teacher and wrestling coach at Godinez Fundamental High School, is accused of kissing a 16-year-old student on the lips while hugging her in the hallway near his classroom in April of last year, according to Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

Further investigation led police to another 16-year-old girl at the school, who alleged that Orduna grabbed her buttocks while hugging her, Bertagna said.

Orduna would also "openly talk about his sex life" in his classroom, Bertagna alleged.

Orduna no longer works at the high school, but Bertagna did not know whether he was put on leave, quit or was fired.

Orduna was arrested this morning at his Irvine home. Deputy District Attorney Brad Schoenleben said the arrest warrant was filed Monday.

Orduna was being held in lieu of $15,000 bail in the Santa Ana jail, Bertagna said.

"Detectives believe there are other possible victims," the corporal said.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call Santa Ana police detective Ed Zaragoza at (714) 245-8351 or Supervising District Attorney Investigator Carl Waddell at (714) 834-7538.

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