Women
Update Regarding Makana Masacayan, Española Valley High School special-education teacher arrested for sexual relationship with teen
A former special education teacher at Española Valley High School pleaded no contest in state District Court in Tierra Amarilla to three charges stemming from an incident in which she was accused of sexually assaulting a teenage student.
Makana Masacayan, 26, was arrested in June of last year and initially was charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual penetration, fourth-degree criminal sexual contact of a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and enticement of a child.
According to the criminal complaint, New Mexico State Police began investigating the teacher after a boy told his juvenile probation officer he had cellphone evidence of sexual interactions with her. Data extracted from the phone confirmed the allegations, an investigator wrote in the complaint.
Masacayan appeared in court wearing a mask and stood next to her attorney, Dorie Biagianti Smith, while entering her plea. She accepted a plea deal under which the rape charge was dismissed, and she was sentenced to three years of supervised probation on the remaining counts.
During the hearing, Biagianti Smith said that her client plans to return to her native Philippines as soon as possible since her work visa was revoked after she was criminally charged.
The attorney added that Santa Fe County Magistrate Court took possession of Masacayan’s passport, which has prevented her from moving back to the Philippines.
“The intent is for her to go immediately back to the Philippines. It’s just a matter of retrieving that passport,” Biagianti Smith said.
State District Judge Jason Lidyard indicated he would file a stipulated order for Masacayan to get permission to retrieve her passport.
As part of her plea agreement, the judge included a provision stating that she can never again work in a U.S. public school. This was welcomed by the school administration, who issued a statement expressing their relief that the case had finally come to a close.
“This behavior is not only a violation of law, it goes against the fundamental values of our schools and our society,” the statement read.
The case has sparked outrage among parents and students in the community, with many calling for stricter background checks for teachers and tougher penalties for those who commit such offenses.
The school district has since implemented new policies and procedures to prevent and respond to incidents of sexual misconduct and abuse. They have also provided additional training and resources for staff and students to raise awareness of the issue and promote a safer learning environment for all.