Pinoy teacher pleads guilty to lewdness with minor charges

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Filipino elementary school teacher has pleaded guilty to three counts of lewdness with a minor.

Jeremiah “Jerry” Mazo, 54, was arrested in April after accusations of touching an 8-year-old girl inappropriately several times since the beginning of the school year at Don E. Hayden Elementary School.

Mazo was booked into the city of Las Vegas’ jail on 10 counts of lewdness with a minor under the age of 14.

Authorities say more children are coming out, saying Mazo also inappropriately touched them.

The allegations against Mazo have left the Filipino community in Las Vegas in shock.

“You would think that it’s the opposite, that you would feel assured that they are fellow Filipinos,” said Michelle Portugal, a Filipina mom. “Now, everyone has to get together and find a way to prevent it.”

Nancy Hunterton, a behavorial psychology therapist Mazo says parents need to teach their children how to protect themselves from pedophiles and sex offenders.

“You really teach your children to have a firm no,” said Hunterton. “If a child doesn’t want to be tickled and someone persists, that’s not right. Children should learn to say no.”

Mazo is scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 26.