Farallon View Elementary School janitor suspected of molesting several students

HALF MOON BAY >> A longtime employee of the Cabrillo Unified School District was arrested on suspicion of molesting several children at Farallon View Elementary School, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.

Joel Cortez Altamirano, 54, of Half Moon Bay was booked Thursday into the Maguire Correctional Facility on multiple counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities did not specify how many children were allegedly molested by Altamirano.

According to a news release from the sheriff’s office, allegations against Altamirano first came to light on Sept. 25 when a sheriff’s office school resource officer “was informed of a lewd act that occurred in the past.” Detectives immediately launched an investigation and learned that “Altamirano committed lewd acts with several juveniles under the age of 14,” according to the sheriff’s office.

The alleged acts occurred on school property during and after school hours.

In a letter sent to parents, Cabrillo Unified School District Superintendent Jane Yuster wrote that she and other district officials were “shocked and concerned” upon learning on Sept. 25 of allegations that Altamirano had inappropriately touched a student. Yuster wrote that Altamirano, who was a “long term employee with the district and has passed all