Northern Arizona teacher arrested after survivor reports years-old abuse

COTTONWOOD, AZ (AZFamily) — A northern Arizona elementary school teacher was arrested after reports that he molested a boy years ago, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) said Friday.

Detectives said the investigation started when the mother of an 18-year-old told a deputy at her church that her son was molested by a man when he was 11 or 12 years old.

During the following week, YCSO said detectives determined the suspect was Chester Cox, 31, of Cottonwood, a teacher at Dr. Daniel Bright Elementary School.

Investigators said the abuse took place at home, not at the school, and the victim was not a student at the school.

Cox also works as a youth coach in the community and did not meet the victim while working at the school.

Cox was arrested and later booked into jail on three counts of sexual conduct with a minor and two counts of molestation of a child. He is being held without bond, YCSO said.

Deputies said Cox has lived in Cottonwood for approximately eight to nine years and has worked at Dr. Daniel Bright Elementary School for about seven years. Before moving to Arizona, he lived in Missouri.

“Crimes against children are devastating offenses that can have lasting impacts on survivors and their families,” YCSO said in a statement. “We commend the courage of the survivor and the individual who came forward to report this abuse.”

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call YCSO at 928-771-3260. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Silent Witness at 1-800-932-3232.

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