Eliezer Santana, 77, of Coconut Creek was taken into custody Wednesday by the Broward Sheriff’s Office on accusations of sexually battering a former student numerous times between 2004 and 2005 while serving as a JROTC instructor. Detectives allege the assaults occurred at multiple locations including Miramar, Davie, and Pembroke Pines, with incidents taking place both in the JROTC office and in vehicles.
According to the arrest report, Santana exploited his position of authority to manipulate the victim through grooming behaviors. Investigators documented that he complimented her appearance and suggested she deserved someone who would care for her, establishing a pattern of psychological manipulation before escalating to physical contact and sexual assault.
The victim described sexual contact occurring in the JROTC office when others were absent, as well as in a van parked at an apartment complex near Sherman Circle in Miramar. The alleged conduct included inappropriate touching and explicit contact while Santana was in a custodial position over the student.
A former coworker interviewed in May corroborated observations of the victim spending time alone in Santana’s office with the door closed. Another witness reported filing a formal complaint with school administration during the same period regarding Santana’s inappropriate conversations with another student, though the witness said police were never notified despite assurances his concerns would be addressed.
After the incidents, Santana transferred to Miami-Dade County schools and no longer worked for Broward Schools. Court records show he faced a 2004 sexual battery charge in Miami-Dade County involving a minor in custodial authority. The current Broward case charges him with sexual battery by a person in custodial authority involving a victim between ages 12 and 18.
Santana remained held without bond at the Broward County Main Jail as of Thursday morning pending further proceedings.
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