Former Arizona high school teacher Cory Kapahulehua has been sentenced to 187 years in prison after a jury convicted him on 17 felony counts stemming from sexual offenses involving two of his teenage students, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
Kapahulehua, 44, was found guilty on charges that include molestation of a child, sexual conduct with a minor, sexual abuse, aggravated assault, and attempted sexual conduct. The verdict followed a September trial during which jurors heard detailed testimony about his abuse of authority and the harm inflicted on two students who were 14 and 17 at the time.
Prosecutors said Kapahulehua’s conduct began in August 2021 while he was employed as a teacher at the Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center (AAEC) in Mesa, a public charter high school system with multiple campuses across the state and an online program.
What The Case Involved
Authorities said the younger victim reported that she and Kapahulehua engaged in sexual activity on school grounds. After the school terminated his employment in January 2022, the student told investigators the encounters continued at a nearby hotel and a parking garage close to the campus.
The older victim told authorities she had sex with Kapahulehua at his apartment when she was still underage. Prosecutors said he leveraged his position and influence over both students, grooming them and manipulating boundaries while presenting himself as a trusted adult.
Both former students later came forward to law enforcement, leading to Kapahulehua’s arrest in 2023. Their disclosures provided a timeline that prosecutors argued underscored a calculated pattern of exploitation that began in the classroom and extended well beyond school grounds.
How The Investigation Unfolded
During the trial, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office presented evidence that Kapahulehua organized a fundraiser to help the older victim raise money to move out of her parents’ home when she was 17. According to prosecutors, the victim moved into his apartment after turning 18, highlighting what they described as a continuation of grooming behavior and control.
In addition to testimony from the victims, the case included records and corroborating details that prosecutors said established Kapahulehua’s pattern of misconduct. The jury ultimately convicted him on all counts, reflecting the breadth of charges that spanned multiple incidents and locations.
AAEC officials previously confirmed that Kapahulehua was let go from his teaching position in January 2022. The school system operates several campuses statewide, and the Mesa campus was the location where Kapahulehua taught at the time the incidents began, prosecutors said.
The Sentence & Official Response
Following the guilty verdict, a judge imposed a sentence totaling 187 years in prison, effectively ensuring Kapahulehua will spend the rest of his life incarcerated. The length of the sentence reflects the severity of the charges, the ages of the victims, and Arizona statutes that impose strict penalties for sex crimes involving minors.
“This defendant used his position as a teacher to groom these students and take advantage of their trust,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a statement. “I’m proud of these girls for having the courage to come forward and stop him from victimizing any children ever again.”
Mitchell’s office emphasized that the sentence was intended to deliver accountability and to send a clear message about safeguarding students. Prosecutors cited the bravery of the victims, whose willingness to report the abuse helped bring the case to trial and secure a conviction.
Why The Ruling Matters
The case underscores the profound responsibility educators hold and the irreparable harm that occurs when that trust is violated. Prosecutors framed the conduct as a stark example of grooming—a process in which a perpetrator cultivates trust and dependency as a means to exploit a minor.
While each case differs, officials say timely reporting and thorough investigation are crucial in bringing such incidents to light. In this instance, authorities credited the victims for stepping forward and the subsequent coordination among law enforcement and prosecutors that led to Kapahulehua’s arrest and successful prosecution.
With the 187-year sentence, the court affirmed the seriousness of the offenses and the state’s commitment to protecting students. The outcome also serves as a reminder of the systems and support networks—within schools and beyond—that exist to help students and families raise concerns, document misconduct, and seek justice.
AAEC’s Mesa campus, where Kapahulehua worked during the period in question, is part of a charter network that partners with students across Arizona. While the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office did not detail any additional school actions beyond his termination, the case highlights how quickly an educator’s authority can be exploited if safeguards are circumvented.
In the wake of the verdict, county officials reiterated that community vigilance and prompt reporting remain essential tools in preventing abuse. As the victims’ accounts made clear, the long-term effects of exploitation are far-reaching, but accountability—and the courage to speak out—can help stop repeat offenses and protect other students.
