AURORA, Colo. – A former teacher at Vista PEAK Preparatory School in Aurora was sentenced to 90 days in jail for sexually assaulting one of his students over a two-year period.
Gabriel Alsina, 37, will also serve five years of sex offender intensive supervised probation after he completes his jail sentence, per the sentencing from Arapahoe County District Court Judge Shay Whitaker. Additionally, Alsina will also have to register as a sex offender and surrender his teaching license.
Alsina taught at Vista PEAK when he met his victim, whom he assaulted in the school building, in his car and in his home over a period of two years, prosecutors said.
The victim and her parents spoke before the judge during the Aug. 10 hearing, with the victim’s mother saying Alsina, “posed as a concerned teacher who wanted to help her … but he played on her weaknesses, and he is a pedophile.”
The victim said she was sexually abused by a teacher who wheeled his way into her heart, adding his hands “were constantly touching me in ways no adult should be touching a child. A teacher meant to protect me was the one hurting me.”
“Parents send their kids to school thinking their children are going to be safe,” said Deputy District Attorney Lisa Gramer during sentencing arguments. “The teacher should not be one of the things they are afraid of.”
The former drama teacher pleaded guilty on June 8 to one count of attempted sex assault on a child by one in a position of trust, a Class 5 felony. Other counts were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.