A high school teacher was recently arrested by the Phoenix Police Department after being accused of sexually abusing a 17-year-old student. The Phoenix area teacher, who taught in the Tempe Union School District, is facing multiple felonies.
Mohamed El Nounw, who was identified as the accused teacher in court records, is facing six charges related to sexual abuse. El Nounw, who was a teacher Mountain Point High School in Phoenix, was arrested on April 7 and will not be returning to the classroom, school administrators said.
Mountain Pointe High School Principal Tomika Bankstold told families that “inappropriate interactions” between El Nounw and a student prompted officials to open an investigation. “Please rest assured that the safety of our students is always our first priority. “We take all allegations seriously and thoroughly investigate claims in collaboration with Phoenix PD,” wrote Mountain Pointe’s principal in an email.
A 17-year-old student informed law enforcement that they had been having a relationship with the teacher that turned physical, according to NBC Phoenix. This reportedly began after the student shared “personal problems” with El Nounw.
Mountain Pointe students and a parent told 12 News that they were all “shocked” by the allegations. They further described the Phoenix teacher as “popular” among students and a good educator.