San Francisco Paraeducator Calvin Tran Charged with Years-Long Sexual Abuse of a Student

San Francisco paraeducator charged with years-long alleged sexual abuse of a student

A San Francisco special education paraeducator, Calvin Tran, 36, has been charged with multiple felony counts after prosecutors say he sexually abused a student over several years while employed in the city's public schools.

According to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, the alleged incidents occurred between 2015 and 2018. Tran made his first court appearance on Friday, and his arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 3. Prosecutors have requested that he be held without bail, citing a potential risk to public safety.

Allegations and charges

A statement from the San Francisco Police Department's Special Victims Unit said investigators found that an adult male employee maintained an inappropriate relationship with the victim for several years that ended when the victim was a teenager. The victim was a student at a school where the suspect worked.

"The investigation discovered that the adult male suspect had an inappropriate relationship with the victim for several years that ended when the victim was a teenager. The victim was a student in a school where the suspect was a teacher," the statement said.

Tran faces a range of felony counts, including:

• Committing lewd acts upon a child
• Continuous sexual abuse
• Oral copulation of a person under 14
• Aggravated sexual assault of a child
• Forcible oral copulation of a minor 14 or older
• Four counts of meeting a minor for lewd purposes

Court records allege the assaults occurred at multiple locations, including Francisco Middle School, where the victim was enrolled at the time. Police say the victim reported the alleged abuse in August, nearly a decade after the alleged incidents began. Tran was arrested Thursday by the SFPD's Fugitive Recovery Enforcement Team and remains in custody pending further proceedings.

School district response and support

In a message to families, San Francisco Unified School District Superintendent Maria Su described the allegations as "deeply concerning" and confirmed Tran was placed on leave immediately after the district learned of his arrest. Su noted Tran is a Washington High School graduate and most recently worked at Argonne Elementary School.

"We care deeply about the safety and well‑being of our students, and we are aware of the trust you place in our staff to keep your children safe," Su wrote. "Please know that your child's safety is of the utmost importance to us."

The district emphasized that employees are required to complete annual mandated reporter training, pass criminal background checks, and receive guidance on maintaining professional boundaries with students. District officials also said school counselors and social workers are available to support students and families who may be affected.

How to provide tips or get help

Anyone with information is urged to contact the San Francisco Police Department tip line at 415-575-4444 or text "SFPD" to TIP411. Students, parents or staff in need of immediate support are encouraged to contact school counselors or local victim services.

This article was updated to clarify the timeline, charges and available support resources while preserving the facts reported by the San Francisco District Attorney's Office and the SFPD.