IRVINE, Calif. (January 6, 2025) – The Irvine Police Department (IPD) arrested 44-year-old Eric Reid Zuercher, of Irvine, for having a sexually explicit text conversation with an adult posing as a minor and suggesting they meet.

On the evening of Sunday, January 5, 2025, a private group that exposes persons engaging in online criminal behavior contacted the Irvine Police Department. The group reported that while posing online as a 14-year-old boy, they communicated with an adult man. The text messages turned sexual in nature, and the adult asked the minor if he would be interested in meeting. Prior to calling IPD, the
reporting party confronted Zuercher at his home and tried to talk to him. After a short conversation, Zuercher went into his residence and closed the door.

IPD detectives obtained a warrant and located Zuercher at his residence, where he was arrested and booked at the Orange County Jail (OCJ) for attempting to converse with a minor to meet and engage in sexual activity. Zuercher is a Sierra Vista Middle School Teacher. IPD has worked closely with the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD), and at this time, there is no evidence that the suspect has had
inappropriate contact with IUSD students. Zuercher has been placed on administrative leave by IUSD.

If anyone has information related to this investigation, please contact Detective Brian Felling at (949)724-7189 or email: bfelling@cityofirvine.org.