Saguaro High substitute teacher and coach arrested on suspicion of sexual abuse

Scottsdale police arrested a Saguaro High School substitute teacher and athletic coach Thursday after a 17-year-old girl said the man had unwanted sexual contact with her when she went to his house to receive a massage.

It was the second sexual misconduct allegation this school year against adults involving Saguaro High School students.

Police arrested Tom Porras, 49, of Scottsdale, on suspicion of sex abuse and public sexual indecency after a school resource officer was notified about the incident by a staff member at the school, according to police. He was arrested at the school, 6250 N. 82nd Street.

The teenager told police Porras, an assistant track and football coach and former professional football player, inappropriately touched her while she was at his house on Wednesday. She told officers she was invited to the home for an “athletic massage,” and during the time she was there, he had unwanted sexual contact with her.

While being interviewed by police, Porras made admissions to the sexual abuse incident, a Class 5 felony if convicted, and public sexual indecency, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Following school policy, Porras was placed on unpaid administrative leave, according to Marijke Van Fleet, spokeswoman for Scottsdale Unified Schools. He could not be reached for comment.

Porras, who has been employed by the school since the 2003-2004 school year, was the assistant football coach for Saguaro’s 2006 state championship football team.

The school sent home a letter with students Thursday, informing parents of the alleged incident, Van Fleet said.

“If the student’s allegations are true, Mr. Porras’ behavior is appalling,” the letter, written by district administrators said. “Such behavior is contrary to the district’s moral and ethical code, and violates numerous district policies.”

Extra school counselors will be at Saguaro today if students need them, and Saguaro’s interim principal, Cliff McKenzie , will address the students concerning the incident through the student television station, Van Fleet said.

“We are trying to keep the parents informed as police make us privy to information,” Van Fleet said.

Porras had a 17-year professional football career as a quarterback that included stints in the Canadian Football League, the United States Football League and the Arena Football League, ending in 1996.

In late August, Roberto Lemus-Retana, a former janitor, was arrested on suspicion of sexual misconduct with a minor after a 14-year-old freshman told police Lemus-Retana sexually assaulted her inside a restroom and classroom. He has maintained the sex was consensual. His trial is scheduled to begin on May 14, according to information from the Maricopa County Superior Court.