A teacher at Glick Middle School in Empire has been arrested on suspicion of committing lewd acts with children under the age of 14, according to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation began after students reported inappropriate contact by the teacher to school officials. The district then notified law enforcement, prompting detectives from the department’s Special Victims Unit to open an inquiry.
The suspect, Javier Villanueva, 52, was arrested near his home in Patterson with assistance from Patterson Police Services. He was booked into Stanislaus County Jail on two counts of lewd acts with a child under 14. According to authorities, investigators believe the first incident took place earlier in the 2024-25 school year and that the most recent occurred on Monday, October 20.
Detectives are continuing their investigation and believe there may be additional victims. Villanueva was being held Thursday on $500,000 bail. His first court appearance had not yet been scheduled.
The Empire Union School District did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding Villanueva’s employment status or when he was placed on leave.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 209-525-7117 or submit tips anonymously to Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 1-866-602-7463 or online at stancrimetips.org.
