Cathedral City teacher ordered to stand trial for student sexual abuse

Brian Ruben Marquez, a 67-year-old former teacher at Cathedral City Elementary School, has been ordered to stand trial on multiple charges involving the sexual abuse of students. Marquez faces seven counts of lewd acts on a child under 14.

The investigation began in May 2025 after a parent reported that their 8-year-old child had been inappropriately touched. Subsequent detective work identified four additional student victims. Marquez pleaded not guilty to all charges on June 9 and remains in custody at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on $250,000 bail.

The Palm Springs Unified School District stated that Marquez was placed on administrative leave as soon as the allegations were made known last year and that the district has been working closely with law enforcement and child protective services. Marquez is scheduled to return to court on August 26 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.