The arrest of Tyler Chorjel, a 25-year-old substitute teacher and assistant baseball coach in Boise, Idaho, has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving parents, students, and school officials grappling with the disturbing reality of the allegations against him. On April 9, 2025, Boise Police took Chorjel into custody, charging him with child sexual abuse of a minor under 16 years of age. The arrest stems from an investigation that began far from Idaho’s capital, in Newport Beach, California, where authorities uncovered a troubling scheme involving the exploitation of young girls. What emerged was a case that not only exposed the alleged actions of a trusted educator but also raised pressing questions about safety and oversight in schools.

The investigation began when Newport Beach police received reports of an adult male masquerading as a 16-year-old online. This individual, later identified as Chorjel, allegedly used this false persona to engage with two juvenile females, soliciting explicit photos and videos from them. The nature of the interactions, cloaked under the guise of a peer, underscores the calculated deception authorities say Chorjel employed. After gathering evidence, California investigators reached out to their counterparts in Boise, where Chorjel resided. Boise Police swiftly moved to locate him, culminating in his arrest on Tuesday morning. He was booked into the Ada County Jail, where he remains as the investigation continues to unfold.

Chorjel’s ties to the Boise School District added a layer of urgency and dismay to the case. Employed as an assistant baseball coach at East Junior High and Les Bois Junior High School during the 2023-2024 school year, he had also been hired as a substitute teacher on March 1, 2024. District records show that while he did not work as a substitute during the prior school year, he filled that role for a total of 8.5 days across various schools—including Boise and Timberline High Schools—during the 2024-2025 academic year. Upon learning of his arrest, the Boise School District acted decisively, terminating his employment and notifying staff and families of the situation. In a statement, district officials emphasized their commitment to student safety, saying they were fully cooperating with law enforcement and offering support to those affected by the news.

The details of Chorjel’s alleged actions paint a chilling picture. Authorities claim he exploited the anonymity of the internet to target vulnerable minors, leveraging his fabricated identity to gain their trust. The fact that he held positions of authority within a school system amplifies the gravity of the accusations. Parents in Boise have expressed a mix of outrage and concern, with many questioning how someone accused of such behavior could have been in close proximity to their children. The district has encouraged anyone with information to contact the Boise Police Department, signaling that investigators are still working to determine the full scope of Chorjel’s activities and whether additional victims may be involved.

This case arrives amid heightened awareness of child safety in educational settings, both locally and nationally. In recent years, Idaho has seen other incidents involving school staff accused of misconduct, prompting calls for stronger vetting processes and training to protect students. For now, the focus remains on the legal proceedings ahead for Chorjel, who faces serious felony charges that could carry significant prison time if he is convicted. The Boise Police Department has indicated that the investigation is ongoing, leaving open the possibility of further revelations.

As the community processes this unsettling development, the arrest of Tyler Chorjel serves as a stark reminder of the trust placed in those who work with children—and the devastating consequences when that trust is betrayed. The Boise School District, meanwhile, is left to reassure families and rebuild confidence, a task made all the more difficult by the nature of the allegations. For now, the city watches and waits as justice takes its course, hoping for answers and accountability in equal measure.