Crime
Criminal Charges Filed Against Utah Educator Alisha Marie George in Alleged Grooming and Sexual Abuse Case
West Jordan, Utah—A middle school teacher from West Jordan, identified as Alisha Marie George, 40, of Eagle Mountain, is currently facing a comprehensive slate of criminal charges stemming from allegations of grooming and sexual abuse involving a former male student.
The allegations suggest the defendant leveraged her position of trust, with the victim reportedly viewing her as a “mother figure.”
The defendant, who is married, was formally charged on Thursday in 3rd District Court with twenty-two separate counts, predominantly felonies.
These charges include:
- Four (4) counts of Forcible Sodomy (First-degree felony)
- One (1) count of Attempted Rape (First-degree felony)
- Twelve (12) counts of Forcible Sexual Abuse (Second-degree felony)
- One (1) count of Distributing Pornographic Material (Third-degree felony)
- Four (4) counts of Unlawful Kissing of a Minor (Class A misdemeanor)
At the time of her arrest, Ms. George was employed at Hawthorn Academy (9062 S. 2200 West) as an honors language arts teacher and the volleyball coach.
Prosecutors assert that Ms. George utilized her role and relationship with the victim’s family to initiate and engage in sexual conduct with the minor male between December 2023 and July 2024.
The victim initially met Ms. George when he was 12 years old and attending the school.
The charging documents outline that by December 2023, the victim’s mother and Ms. George had developed a close friendship.
The alleged abuse reportedly commenced over the Christmas break in December 2023, when the victim was 13.
The relationship intensified in the subsequent months. In February 2024, following a surgery the victim’s mother underwent, Ms. George allegedly offered substantial assistance, including providing transportation and care.
During this time, she would reportedly drive the student home and visit the house to play video games with him.
The victim described his bond with Ms. George to law enforcement as “tight,” stating he considered her a “mother figure” who was “always there for him.” The inappropriate contact is reported to have escalated from touching and kissing to sexual activity, occurring in various locations, including Ms. George’s vehicle, her residence, and the victim’s home.
The sexual contact reportedly ceased in July 2024.
Charging documents indicate that the defendant allegedly warned the victim “not to tell anyone,” leading the minor to feel he was “at the point of no return” and that they were “in a relationship.”
The victim further noted that Ms. George would allegedly express anger if he interacted with other female students at school.
The boy later referred to the teacher as a “monster,” explaining that she had exploited him during a period when he was particularly vulnerable and in need of support.
The victim asserted that he blocked Ms. George on all social media accounts after she texted him on his 2024 birthday, explicitly instructing her not to text him again.
Following Ms. George’s arrest, investigators reported that “multiple students” subsequently contacted the police department, alleging they had either been groomed by the defendant or had witnessed her inappropriate behavior with students.
Prosecutors have indicated that additional victims have since come forward, suggesting the distinct possibility of subsequent charges being filed in this case.
Ms. George’s initial court appearance is scheduled for December 9th.
Orlando, Fla. — Family and friends of 33-year-old Julien Emmanuel Cruz are seeking answers and accountability following his fatal shooting outside a popular LGBTQ+ nightclub early Sunday morning.
According to the Orlando Police Department, officers responded at approximately 2:31 a.m. on February 22, 2026, to the 1900 block of North Orange Avenue, just north of Lake Ivanhoe, in reference to a reported shooting.
Upon arrival, officers located Cruz suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities confirmed Cruz was born May 18, 1992.
Detectives determined that prior to the shooting, Cruz and the suspect were involved in a verbal and physical altercation on the sidewalk outside the nightclub district. Investigators say that during the dispute, the suspect retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and shot Cruz.
The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, which patrol officers later located in the 200 block of East New Hampshire Avenue, approximately two blocks from where the shooting occurred.
Police subsequently arrested 37-year-old Jean Gabriel Borja Gil De La Madr (DOB: October 29, 1988). He has been charged with Second Degree Murder with a Firearm. Authorities confirmed this case marks the third homicide in Orlando in 2026.
Cruz’s father, Anthony Cruz, said his son and his partner had been at Savoy Orlando enjoying the evening before the violence unfolded.
According to the family, as the couple exited the club after closing time, a vehicle sped past them. Cruz’s partner allegedly yelled toward the occupants of the vehicle, prompting the car to stop. A physical altercation then reportedly began between Cruz’s partner and one of the individuals from the vehicle.
“When they fought, my son saw that was happening. My son went to intervene, and when he intervened, another guy got out of the car, and he got shot,” Anthony Cruz said. “My son didn’t deserve what happened. All I have left is a shirt — a shirt with a bullet hole.”
While police have charged Borja Gil De La Madr, Cruz’s family maintains that another individual may have been directly responsible for pulling the trigger. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether additional suspects are being sought.
A small memorial has formed across from the nightclub, where members of the community have gathered to honor Cruz’s memory.
Joshua Cooper, owner of Savoy Orlando, said the tragedy has deeply impacted the LGBTQ+ community, even though the shooting occurred off the club’s property.
“I didn’t know the victim, but from everything I’ve been told, I wish I had,” Cooper said. “He seemed like a great kid. Seeing a family that is so heartbroken and so supportive of this community says so much.”
The Orlando Police Department has not released additional information regarding potential additional suspects. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the altercation and shooting.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Orlando Police Department or Crimeline.
The investigation remains active.