Tonight on The True Crime Pod - a trusted high school coach betrays his community in the most disturbing way imaginable, using social media and school grounds to prey on vulnerable students.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual exploitation of minors and inappropriate conduct. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

Welcome to The True Crime Pod. I'm your host, and tonight we're examining a deeply troubling case that's currently unfolding in Arizona, where a high school teacher and baseball coach's dark secret life has finally come to light.

Cortez High School in Arizona was like any other school - students attending classes, athletes practicing on sun-baked fields, and teachers guiding young minds toward their futures. Among these educators was forty-three-year-old Eric Curtis Chapman, a teacher and head baseball coach who, on the surface, seemed to be living the American dream.

But on March twenty-fifth, two thousand and twenty-five, that facade began to crumble when investigators uncovered evidence that would shock the entire community - nude photographs sent to a minor. This discovery would only be the tip of a very disturbing iceberg.

What happened next would stun both law enforcement and the school community. After his arrest on April tenth, Chapman made shocking admissions that would reveal the true extent of his predatory behavior. When questioned by police, he didn't just confess - he provided detailed accounts of his actions that left investigators reeling.

The investigation took a darker turn when Chapman admitted to filming sexual interactions throughout the school campus - in classrooms, the coach's locker room, and even his personal vehicle. But perhaps most disturbing was his revelation about his victims: two current male students, both minors, and one former student who had reached adulthood.

While Chapman claimed he met these individuals through an adult dating site, the reality of his position of authority and the age of his victims paints a clear picture of predatory behavior. Further investigation revealed hundreds of downloaded images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minors.

The Glendale Union High School District acted swiftly, removing Chapman from all duties once the allegations came to light. He now faces multiple counts of sexual conduct with a minor and sexual exploitation of a minor, held on a two hundred and fifty thousand dollar cash bond.

This case raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current screening processes in our schools and the vulnerability of students to predators who exploit their positions of trust. It's a stark reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and that predators often hide in plain sight.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse, help is available twenty-four hours a day through the National Sexual Assault Hotline. You are not alone.

Remember to stay safe and vigilant. If you've found value in tonight's episode, please subscribe to The True Crime Pod wherever you get your podcasts, and visit our website at thetruecrimepod.com for more resources and information. Until next time, stay safe.