Former Phoenix teacher convicted of sexually abusing 7 girls

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office announced Wednesday that a jury found Manuel Gavina guilty of sexual abuse.

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office previously said there were 14 victims and later corrected it to 7 victims.

The crimes happened during math classes at Capitol Elementary School in central Phoenix while Gavina touched the girls inappropriately. "This man is the definition of a sexual predator," said County Attorney Rachel Mitchell."Teachers are trusted adults in our community. Any child in any classroom in this county should feel safe at school, yet this man violated that childhood peace. I will not stand for these types of attacks on our kids.

Victims started coming forward in 2017. It wasn't until 2019 that the Phoenix Police Department was notified of the accusations when additional victims came forward. Gavina was convicted on 14 counts of sexual abuse, each one a felony. Gavina faces anywhere from 17.5 to 70 years in prison, according to MCAO.

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