CSULB preschool teacher recorded at least 3 people in campus restroom, warrant says

At least three people were secretly recorded in a Cal State Long Beach restroom on the cellphone of a preschool teacher arrested earlier this month after one of the victims, a 15-year-old boy, alerted police, according to court documents.

The teen identified Ernesto Jason Higuera by his cellphone and shoes as the man who allegedly took pictures of him while he used the College of Business Administration restroom Dec. 8, according to a warrant filed by University Police Detective Chris Brown.

The victim, who was on campus for a conference, told police Higuera was the only other person in the restroom.

Higuera, 38, allowed a police officer to search the phone when he was detained on suspicion of misdemeanor invasion of privacy and lewd conduct in a public restroom, the document says.

“While reviewing the device, the arresting officer observed videos which showed a tiled floor restroom which was consistent with the flooring of the CBA restrooms,” the document states.

Days later, officers seized USB flash drives, iPads, a computer and other devices from Higuera’s downtown Long Beach apartment and his office on campus at the Isabel Patterson Child Development Center, the warrant states.

Higuera was immediately placed on leave from his position at the center, which offers child care to CSULB students. He resigned shortly after, according to university spokeswoman Terri Carbaugh. He was released from jail after posting $25,000 bond, jail records show.

Lt. Rick Goodwin said he could not get into details of the case, but said the alleged crimes are unrelated to Higuera’s work at the childcare center. The case was presented to the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office, he said.

Parents of children who attend the Isabel Patterson Child Development Center will receive an update on any new findings in January, Carbaugh said.

Higuera did not immediately return a phone call Friday.