Hoover High School associate principal pleads not guilty to alleged sex crimes involving minor

San Diego Union-Tribune - 3/28/2024

A Hoover High School associate principal accused of sending sexual images to a minor pleaded not guilty Thursday to three felony charges.

Charles Thomas Boyd De Freitas, 43, was charged with sending harmful content to a minor, contacting a minor to commit a sexual offense and possessing child sexual abuse material.

He faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison if convicted.

The criminal complaint filed against De Freitas alleges the incidents occurred between March 1 and March 20.

Police said last week the investigation was prompted when a juvenile "indicated that De Freitas had sent and requested illicit images via a social media app."

The educator was arrested March 20. He was released after posting $25,000 bail and remains out of custody.

His defense attorney, Patrick Griffin, declined to speak with reporters after the arraignment in San Diego Superior Court.

No new details of the case were revealed during the hearing. Afterward, Deputy District Attorney Ramona McCarthy said the three charges "are essentially sending and receiving material that depicts sexual conduct to and from a minor."

McCarthy declined to comment on specifics including providing the age of the alleged victim or indicating whether he or she was a student.

She said detectives are still collecting information and are investigating whether there are more potential alleged victims.

San Diego Superior Court Judge John Pro granted McCarthy's request for two criminal protective orders. One requires De Freitas to not contact and to stay 100 yards away from the alleged victim. The other requires him to remain off social media and stay 100 yards away from schools.

De Freitas also agreed to allow detectives to search or seize his personal belongings and electronic devices without a warrant while he is out of custody awaiting trial.

Following the arrest last week, Hoover High School Principal Tracey Makings sent a message to parents stating that De Freitas had been placed on leave "and will not be allowed on campus."

De Frietas has been with San Diego Unified for 13 years, first as teacher at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts before moving over to Hoover High to be an administrator.

This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune.