Detectives from the Nye County Sheriff's Office arrested 28-year-old Jose Manuel Bautista on Oct. 11 for various offenses, including unlawful sexual contact with a minor child.
Police received an initial report from a 17-year-old female student in Pahrump, saying that she was sexually assaulted by a 28-year-old male.
Detectives learned that the alleged suspect was currently employed as a paraprofessional assistant working with special needs students at the Nye County School District.
During the subsequent investigation, Detectives learned further details of the alleged incident, which included information that Bautista had engaged in lewd conversations with the victim on social media before taking her to his home.
It was also learned that the man was under the influence of narcotics when he subsequently engaged in unlawful sexual acts upon the student.
After locating and interviewing Bautista, he admitted to Detectives that he had in fact engaged in sexual misconduct with the student.
A search warrant of his home was executed and evidence was obtained to support the alleged crimes.
Bautista was placed under arrest and booked at the Nye County Detention Center on charges of sexual assault, child sexual abuse in possession of drug paraphernalia and more.
He is being held on $350,000 bail.
The Nye County School District released a statement Wednesday afternoon.
"The Nye County School District has no comment regarding the arrest of Jose Bautista, a paraprofessional at Pahrump Valley High School, other than to say that this is a personnel matter which by its nature is private and confidential.
"Mr. Bautista has been removed from his position with the district pending investigation of criminal charges. The District is taking every precautionary measure to assure it is providing quality educational services in a safe and respectful environment."
