Teacher accused of sex acts with students gets 187-year sentence, AZ officials say
A teacher is accused of performing sex acts with a 14-year-old and 17-year-old student while he was employed at an Arizona high school, prosecutors say.
Cory Kapahulehua, 44, has been sentenced to 187 years in prison in connection with the alleged sex acts with his former students, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said in an Oct. 28 news release.
Kapahulehua was convicted of more than a dozen charges, including molestation of a child, sexual conduct with a minor, sexual abuse and aggravated assault, prosecutors said.
An attorney for Kapahulehua did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment on Oct. 30.
Kapahulehua was working as a teacher at Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center’s Mesa campus in August 2021 when he met the two students, the district attorney said.
In an emailed statement to McClatchy News, a spokesperson for the Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center said Kapahulehua began working at the Mesa campus in August 2021 after a background check and “confirmation of a valid fingerprint clearance card.”
The younger student told investigators she engaged in sex acts with Kapahulehua on campus until he was eventually dismissed from his job in January 2022, prosecutors said.
Kapahulehua and the girl continued to meet, “including at a hotel near the school and at a nearby parking garage,” prosecutors said.
The older student told officials that when she was underage Kapahulehua brought her to his apartment to perform sex acts multiple times, according to prosecutors.
“At one point, (Kapahulehua) started an online fundraiser to help move her out of her parent’s home at age 17,” prosecutors said, adding that the two moved in together when she turned 18.
The two girls came forward, leading to Kapahulehua’s arrest in 2023, Arizona Family reported.
“The actions of this individual are reprehensible and completely contrary to the values and standards we uphold for every member of our school community,” an Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said Kapahulehua was fired in January 2022 after the allegations surfaced, adding that school officials notified authorities.
“Our deepest concern and sympathy are with the victims and their families,” a spokesperson said. “Student safety and well-being are our highest priority at our schools.”
Using his position as a teacher, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said Kapahulehua groomed the girls and took advantage of their trust.
“I’m proud of these girls for having the courage to come forward and stop him from victimizing any children ever again,” Mitchell said.
Mesa is about a 20-mile drive east from Phoenix.
This story was originally published October 30, 2025 at 1:03 PM with the headline "Teacher accused of sex acts with students gets 187-year sentence, AZ officials say."
