Alleged Molester Teacher Resigns

A Murrieta man accused of carrying on a long-term sexual relationship with a former student has resigned from his teaching position.

James Pinckard, 56, when Murrieta police officers came upon his van parked behind a business on Coporate Center Court. They said they found a 17-year-old girl inside, with whom they allege he was in the midst of sexual relations.

Murrieta police officers say they found Pinckard and the alleged victim when they responded to a security alarm alert in the industrial area. They saw the van and decided to approach it, said Murrieta police Detective John Nelson, in a search warrant affidavit.

"...the male driver quickly exited the driver's seat and nervously greeted the officers," Nelson wrote. "(He) was not wearing any shoes and was sweating profusely."

When officers shined their flashlight into the van, Nelson wrote that they saw a girl attempting to adjust her sweatpants.

Pinckard told officers she was his 18-year-old niece, according to the affidavit. When separated, the girl initially went along with Pinckard's story, Nelson wrote, but she later told officers she'd lied about her age and who she was.

Pinckard then told officers the girl was a former student of his at in Temecula. He'd taught her in when she was in eighth grade.

Pinckard since turned in his resignation to the Temecula Valley Unified School District. According to district spokesperson Melanie Norton. Pinckard was placed on paid administrative leave following his arrest. His resignation was expected to be accepted by the school board at Tuesday's meeting, and was effective as of Dec. 31.

At the time of Pinckard's arrest, Norton said board policy was for him to remain on paid leave until when and if formal charges were filed.

He'd worked with the district from 1993 to 2000, and then from 2007 to 2011. Most recently, he was a sixth-grade math teacher, Norton said. He also worked in the Menifee Union School District, from 2002 to 2007, according to Betti Cadmus, spokesperson for the Menifee Union School District.

Pinckard is due for an arraignment on Jan. 3, and declined to discuss the allegations when approached at his Murrieta home Tuesday evening, where a "Do Not Disturb" sign was posted on the door.

"I want to thank those who know me for their support," Pinckard said. "I am the sheep who was found."

Pinckard was married and has at least one adult child, a son, an Internet search revealed.

As of a Nov. 17 search warrant, the Murrieta Police Department sought to have the interior of Pinckard's 1993 Toyota Previa van tested for DNA evidence of the alleged sexual relationship with the former student.

"Pinckard said this evening, he had driven Jane Doe to the remote business district area so the two could talk," Nelson wrote about the questioning of Pinckard upon his arrest.

"Pinckard (said) that he has recently had thoughts of taking the relationship further and possibly 'making out' with Jane Doe."

According to Nelson, the girl told officers she'd been "having sexual intercourse with Pinckard on a regular basis; indicating 3-4 times a week for about a year."

Police also filed a warrant to seize Pinckard's iPhone, which they allege he used to email the victim. According to Nelson, the girl had Pinckard listed as "uncle" in her contacts.

Additionally, he wrote that Pinckard's phone contacts could lead to potential witnesses and/or other victims.

John Hall, spokesperson for the Riverside County District Attorney's Office, said last week that charges had yet to be filed against Pinckard.

"The case is still under review and the investigation is continuing," Hall said, in an email to Patch.

Murrieta police Investigations Sgt. Phil Gomez said he expects the DA will formally charge Pinckard on the day of his scheduled arraignment.

"Since Pinckard has been out on bail, there was no rush to file formal charges," the sergeant said.

Pinckard spent a day in jail on suspicion of unlawful sex with a minor and was released on $5,000 bail pending the Jan. 3 court date, according to jail records.