Merced County teacher arrested, accused of inappropriate conduct with students

A Merced County High School teacher has been placed on administrative leave after he was arrested on suspicion of multiple charges for allegedly offering drugs to minors and sending inappropriate images to students, according to authorities.

The Merced County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the allegations against Buhach Colony High School teacher Julio Barcelo, after a high school administrator contacted the school’s resource deputy on Aug. 10. Authorities said the school resource deputy began an investigation into the allegations that the teacher had allegedly been offering marijuana to minors as well as sending inappropriate photos to students.

Barcelo was arrested by sheriff’s deputies on Friday on suspicion of furnishing cannabis to a minor and annoying or molesting a child under the age of 18, according to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.

The Merced Union High School District confirmed the arrest of Barcelo, who works as a special education teacher at Buhach Colony High School. The district said it will continue to fully cooperate with the Merced County Sheriff Office ongoing investigation.

“As soon as Administration became aware of reports that Mr. Barcelo had engaged in inappropriate conduct with high school students during the past school years, he was immediately placed on administrative leave, and the District has commenced its own investigation into the allegations,” read a portion of a statement released by the Merced Union High School District.

The district said the safety and well-being of students remains a top priority and it is committed to providing support to students, parents and staff as it understands how the incident may have impacted the school community.

This story was originally published September 4, 2024 at 7:48 AM.