SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – Former National City “Teacher of the Year” Jacqueline Ma pleaded guilty to multiple sexual misconduct charges in a San Diego courtroom Wednesday.
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office confirmed Ma pleaded guilty to four counts, including sexual intercourse with a minor and possessing matter depicting a minor in sexual conduct.
With her guilty plea, Ma faces 30 years to life in prison; her sentencing is scheduled for May 9.
The former Lincoln Acres Elementary School sixth grade teacher was arrested in March 2023 on suspicion of sexual contact with two minors who were former students.
Ma was named a San Diego County Teacher of the Year in 2022.
During a court hearing in Dec. 2023, National City Police Detective Colleen Stanich read screenshots between Ma and one of her alleged victims.
"Do not forget my underwear is in your pocket," one of the messages shown read. "I love you too, like I'm actually in love with you."
The news of Ma's arrest sent shockwaves throughout the community.
At the time of her arrest, we talked to former students about their reactions to the allegations.
"My instant reaction was my heart fell because I thought to myself, 'Why would someone this sweet, this kind, this caring do something so disgusting like that?' I'm still in shock now," said Yajaira Cervantes, one of Ma's former students.
"I go to Sweetwater, so I would go to sports events, and she would be there. And I would say, 'Ms. Ma, what are you doing here, you know? She's like, 'Oh, I'm here to see a former student,'" said Daisy Torres, another former student. "And now I'm going through my head like how does she have contact with that student? How does she know all of these things?"
"All of the red flags we've collected together is more than enough to think maybe this is true. Maybe whatever's been going on has been going on for a long time. Maybe she's always had these horrible intentions, and we just couldn't pick up on it due to just being young-minded," Cervantes said.
ABC 10News has reached out to Ma's attorney and the National School District for comment. We haven't heard back yet as of 3:45 p.m. Wednesday.
