Eagle Mountain teacher under investigation for sexual abuse of 2 students, leaves country

EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah (ABC4) — An Eagle Mountain teacher who is under investigation for the alleged sexual abuse of two students has reportedly left the country, according to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.

The Utah County Sheriff’s office stated in a press release that on Dec. 15, 2024, authorities were contacted about suspect Ricardo Prins, a 39-year-old male from Eagle Mountain, and his “possible unlawful sexual relation with two underage females.”

During their investigation, detectives found evidence to support the following charges against Prins: 42 counts of criminal sexual misconduct with the juveniles, one incident of aggravated assault, and one incident of obstruction of justice.

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According to the release, Prins was a teacher at Rockwell Charter High School in Eagle Mountain at the time, and it was alleged he used his position to influence his victims. Court documents said Prins reportedly told the teenage victims that he could hack their phones and that he used to work for the government of Brazil.

At the beginning of their investigation, police learned that Prins had allegedly left the U.S. and gone to his home country of Brazil on Dec. 16, 2024, after being placed on leave on Dec. 15, 2024, according to court documents.

On Dec. 18, police went to Prins’ home and spoke to his wife, who confirmed to officials that he was in Brazil, but said she did not know when he was returning, documents said.

On Dec. 19, Prins offered to talk with officers remotely and told police he was unaware of any investigation, but was in Brazil because his mother was dying.

Documents said Prins told police he would be returning to Utah on Jan. 5, 2025, but informed them on Jan. 3 that he would not be able to return as planned due to “visa issues.” He had not contacted police since then, as of Jan. 14.

The release said that while detectives were waiting for Prins to return to the U.S. and were working with Federal Law Enforcement partners, they learned that his travel documents had expired earlier in 2024 and he would not be able to legally return.

Rockwell Charter High School sent an email to parents on Jan. 14 saying, “Mr. Prins is not employed at Rockwell Charter School anymore and this is an active police investigation, so information is limited.”

Sgt. Ray Ormond, the public information officer with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, said it’s important for parents to have open communication with their children about what’s appropriate and not appropriate when it comes to relationships and interactions with others, including teachers.

“Have that open dialogue back and forth so that if there is questionable behavior, your children can come to you as a parent and say ‘Hey mom or dad, this is going on, I don’t feel comfortable with this, — Is this appropriate? Is this inappropriate?’” he said.

If your children discuss any possible inappropriate behavior, Ormond said to contact the authorities.

The Utah County Sheriff’s Office is asking if there are any other victims of Prins, to contact Central Dispatch at (801) 798-5600 and ask to speak with a UCSO Deputy.

The sheriff’s office said the case has been sent to the Utah County Attorney’s Office for an arrest warrant for Prins and that aspects of the case are still under investigation.

Matthew Drachman contributed to this report.

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