Cypress High Teacher Accused of Sex With Teen

A Cypress High School teacher has been arrested on suspicion of having sex with a student, authorities said Thursday.

Police arrested David King, 30, at his Huntington Beach home Wednesday night after a 16-year-old girl whom King once coached in soccer told police that she and the teacher had had a yearlong relationship.

“She said she felt so bad that she just had to tell us about what happened,” said Lt. Mike Idom, a spokesman for the Cypress Police Department. “She was feeling so guilty that she came in with her mother.”

Officers searched King’s home and found evidence to support the girl’s allegation, Idom said. “The victim was here at 5 p.m., and we had the guy in custody at 10 p.m.,” he said. “You can tell that this is important to us.”

King, who teaches special education at the school, was booked at Cypress City Jail on suspicion of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. He was released after posting $50,000 bail. Arraignment was set for May 1.

The student told investigators that the relationship began when she was on the high school soccer team, which King coached until last year when he was appointed head coach for the women’s soccer team at Cypress College. He continued to teach full time at the high school.

According to the girl’s account, the two met weekly at King’s home and in his car. Idom said it is unclear when their alleged relationship ended. She has since transferred to another school, he said.

Cypress High Principal Norman Fried, who learned of the allegations Thursday morning, said King was immediately suspended with pay pending the outcome of the case.

King has worked at the high school for four years, Fried said. “He’s an excellent teacher and an excellent coach,” he said.