Boise baseball coach, substitute teacher arrested on child sex abuse charge
Boise police arrested a local assistant coach and substitute teacher Wednesday after law enforcement in California alleged that he posed as a teenager to receive sexual photos and videos from two underage girls.
Tyler Chorjel, 25, was charged with felony sexual abuse of a minor under 16 years old and was booked into the Ada County Jail, according to a news release from the Boise School District.
Chorjel was an assistant baseball coach at East Junior High and Les Bois Junior High School during the 2023-24 school year, and he also substituted for a total of 8.5 days at two area high schools during this school year.
Chorjel primarily worked as a substitute at Timberline High School, where he taught most recently on April 3, the school district said. He also substituted for five days in March.
The Boise School District said it was notified of the investigation and arrest late Wednesday afternoon, adding that upon learning this “deeply troubling information,” administrators terminated Chorjel’s employment.
Officers from the Boise Police Department were contacted by police in Newport Beach, California, on Tuesday, regarding allegations that an adult man, later identified as Chorjel, posed as a 16-year-old and “requested, paid for, and received sexual photos and videos” from two minors.
“We recognize that this news is distressing,” the school district said in its late Wednesday news release. “The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement and will continue to do so throughout their investigation.”
This arrest came roughly 24 hours after the Boise School District held a meeting for parents at Valley View Elementary School to discuss the findings of an independent investigation, which took place after a 22-year-old special-education paraprofessional died by suicide when police attempted to arrest him on child pornography charges.
“Our entire district administration and our Board of Trustees apologize for the trauma the victims and families have suffered, as well as the confusion and anxiety felt by our entire community through this experience,” Boise Superintendent Lisa Roberts said in a letter sent to parents and staff Tuesday regarding the Valley View investigation.
Parents who have additional questions regarding Chorjel’s employment are asked to contact their student’s principal. The district said it’s working to ensure that “appropriate support” is available for students, staff or families who need it.
All substitute teachers and coaches are required to pass a criminal background check before working in the Boise School District, and all participate in sexual misconduct, sexual harassment and other safety training, the release said.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact the Boise Police Department at 208-377-6790.
“Boise School District remains firmly committed to providing a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment for every student,” the release said. “We will continue to strive to take every necessary step to protect our students and maintain the trust of our community.”