Overview

• Jacqueline Ma, a former San Diego County 'Teacher of the Year,' was sentenced to 30 years to life in state prison for sex crimes involving two underage boys.
• Ma pleaded guilty in February 2025 to four felony counts, including lewd acts on a child and possession of explicit material depicting a minor.
• Prosecutors detailed how Ma groomed the boys with gifts, secret messages, and unsanctioned after-school interactions, abusing her position of trust.
• Key evidence included hidden text messages, explicit photographs, and testimony about Ma’s use of 'vanish mode' to conceal her actions.
• At her sentencing, Ma apologized, admitting she manipulated and deceived the boys and their families, and acknowledged the profound harm caused.