Middle school teacher accused of sex messages with minor

Police say he was arrested after soliciting images from teen at nearby high school

SAN JOSE >> A middle school teacher has been arrested on suspicion of exchanging sexually explicit social media messages with an underage student at a nearby high school, including soliciting nude images, according to San Jose police.

Trae Devonte Owens, 29, was arrested Sunday at his home in Hollister, police announced in a news release Thursday. Owens was booked on suspicion of multiple felony sex crimes, police said. Records Thursday showed he was out of jail custody, and criminal charges had not been filed.

Though Owens — who taught at Herbert Hoover Middle School this year — is accused of the illicit messages with the student, and also of arranging to drive her to school on at least one occasion, he is not suspected of sexual assault, police said.

According to police and the San Jose Unified School District, administrators at Lincoln High School got a tip that a man was having “inappropriate sexual communications with a minor over social media,” prompting them to alert SJPD. The department assigned its Internet Crimes Against Children and Child Exploitation Detail task force to investigate.

“We are grateful that individuals came forward and shared information, allowing us to immediately work with law enforcement,” the district said in a statement. “Students are often the first ones who notice inappropriate behavior. It takes a tremendous amount of courage and confidence to report something you know is wrong … We appreciate everyone who helped us respond so quickly.”

The ensuing probe resulted in arrest and search warrants for Owens, police said. He was booked on suspicion of possessing child pornography, contacting a minor with sexual intent and annoying or molesting a minor. If he is convicted of these crimes, Owens could be required to register as a sex offender.

A spokesperson for San Jose Unified confirmed Thursday that Owens “is on an unpaid suspension while we follow our (personnel) process and support the law enforcement investigation.”

Anyone with information about the case can contact Detective Mike O'Grady at 4290@sanjoseca.gov or at 408-537-1381. Tips can also be left with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-9477867 or at svcrimestoppers. org.