Who Is Eric Christoffersen? Utah Elementary Teacher Charged

Eric Christoffersen is a 40-year-old Utah elementary school teacher who was charged in September 2026 with three counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child after multiple students accused him of inappropriate touching at school.

Christoffersen worked for the Granite School District and most recently taught at Arcadia Elementary School in Taylorsville. He had been placed on administrative leave in April after the allegations surfaced and was fired on September 24, the same day criminal charges were filed.

What Is Eric Christoffersen Accused Of?

Prosecutors accuse Christoffersen of inappropriately touching several elementary school students while using hugs and other physical interactions as a pretext.

Charging documents describe allegations from three students who said Christoffersen touched their buttocks, thighs or waist during hugs or other encounters at school. Prosecutors allege some of the conduct occurred repeatedly in classrooms, hallways and during recess. [KSL]

The allegations have not been proven in court. Christoffersen is presumed innocent unless convicted.

What Charges Does Eric Christoffersen Face?

Christoffersen was charged in Utah’s 3rd District Court with three counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child.

Each count is classified as a first-degree felony. [KSL]

Under Utah law, aggravated sexual abuse of a child can apply when alleged sexual abuse occurs under specified aggravating circumstances, including when the defendant occupies a position of special trust in relation to the child. A conviction generally carries a potential prison term of at least 15 years and up to life, although Utah law allows a court to impose certain lesser indeterminate terms under specified circumstances. [Utah Code]

What Did The First Student Tell Police?

The investigation began after Granite School District police received a report involving an 11-year-old girl.

According to charging documents, the girl told investigators that Christoffersen would ask students for hugs and then allegedly touch other parts of their bodies.

She described one incident in which Christoffersen allegedly picked her up, spun her around and then touched her buttocks after putting her back down. The girl told investigators she believed Christoffersen tried to make the touching appear accidental. [KSL]

What Did A Second Student Allege?

A second student told investigators that Christoffersen allegedly touched her inappropriately more than once.

According to the charges, the student recalled being called to Christoffersen’s desk to look at something. When she could not see it, she said he lifted her by placing a hand on her buttocks and squeezed while holding her up.

The student told police the encounter made her feel uncomfortable and unsafe. She said similar conduct occurred on more than one occasion. [KSL]

What Did A Third Student Say?

A third student told investigators that Christoffersen regularly asked her for hugs.

Charging documents say the student reported hugging him multiple times a day and alleged that Christoffersen sometimes touched her thigh or waist during those interactions.

She also claimed Christoffersen would appear upset or act sad when she did not want to hug him. The student additionally described inappropriate touching similar to that alleged by another student. [KSL]

Did Eric Christoffersen Allegedly Make Comments About Students’ Appearance?

Yes. Charging documents include allegations concerning comments Christoffersen allegedly made about female students.

Students told investigators that he once described a student’s leg as “sexy.” [KSL]

When questioned by police, Christoffersen also allegedly discussed differences in how he interacted with girls based on physical attractiveness. Prosecutors included those statements in the charging documents as part of their argument that his conduct toward students was inappropriate. [KSL]

What Did Eric Christoffersen Tell Police?

Christoffersen denied intentionally touching students inappropriately.

According to charging documents, he acknowledged asking students for hugs. He also recalled an incident in which another student accused him of inappropriate touching during a hug, but he denied that the alleged touching occurred.

Christoffersen told investigators that he had previously been accused of favoring female students but said girls were more likely than boys to want hugs. He also characterized the students making allegations as seeking attention, according to the charging documents. [KSL]

Why Do Prosecutors Say Christoffersen’s Position As A Teacher Matters?

Prosecutors specifically cited Christoffersen’s role as an elementary school teacher in the charging documents.

They allege he used a position of trust to gain access to students and repeatedly found reasons to hug or physically interact with them.

Utah’s aggravated sexual abuse statute identifies a “position of special trust” as one of the circumstances that can elevate alleged sexual abuse of a child to aggravated sexual abuse. [Utah Code]

Where Did Eric Christoffersen Teach?

Christoffersen taught at Arcadia Elementary School in Taylorsville, Utah, part of the Granite School District.

An Arcadia Elementary newsletter shows that Christoffersen joined the school’s staff for the 2023-24 school year as a fifth-grade teacher. [Arcadia Elementary]

Granite School District’s staff directory also listed Eric S. Christoffersen at Arcadia Elementary as a contract substitute teacher. [Granite School District]

When Did The School District Learn About The Allegations?

The allegations came to the attention of the Granite School District in April 2026.

The district and law enforcement investigated, and Christoffersen was placed on leave while the investigation continued. [KSL]

The criminal charges were filed several months later, on September 24.

Was Eric Christoffersen Fired?

Yes. Granite School District terminated Christoffersen’s employment after prosecutors filed the criminal charges.

The district said Christoffersen had remained on leave since the investigation began in April. After officials were notified that prosecutors intended to file charges, the district moved to end his employment on September 24. [KSL]

Did Eric Christoffersen Contact Witnesses?

Charging documents also describe concerns about Christoffersen’s conduct while the investigation was underway.

Police learned that Christoffersen allegedly contacted witnesses and relatives of alleged victims and asked them to speak on his behalf.

Investigators were also told that family members of Christoffersen had harassed alleged victims. Prosecutors further alleged that Christoffersen wanted to send a cease-and-desist letter to one of the students after she referred to him as a “creep.” [KSL]

Those allegations are contained in the charging documents and have not been adjudicated.

When Did The Alleged Abuse Occur?

Prosecutors say the alleged incidents occurred during the previous school year.

The criminal investigation became public within the Granite School District in April 2026, when Christoffersen was placed on leave. The formal criminal charges followed on September 24, 2026. [KSL]