MIRAMAR, Fla. — A former JROTC instructor who turned 77 years old on Thursday is now behind bars after Broward Sheriff’s Office investigators accused him of repeatedly raping one of his former students more than two decades ago.
The suspect was identified in an arrest report as Eliezer Santana, of Coconut Creek. Jail records show he was arrested Wednesday by the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators accuse Santana of sexually battering the victim “upwards of 20 times between 2004-2005” while he was serving as a JROTC instructor and was “in a position of power and trust over the victim,” according to an arrest report.
Authorities said the incidents occurred in Miramar, Davie and Pembroke Pines.
According to the report, the victim told investigators that Santana began “grooming her” during 2004 and 2005 by telling her “how beautiful she looked” and that “she deserves someone who will care for her.”
The report states that while inside the JROTC office in Miramar, Santana would sit close to the victim until he became aroused before rubbing her thighs and shoulders while touching his penis over his clothing.
The victim told investigators she had sex with Santana on more than one occasion inside the JROTC office when no one else was present, according to the report.
She also claimed the abuse continued at an apartment complex parking lot within Sherman Circle in Miramar, including one incident in the backseat of a van, detectives said.
Santana’s arrest report redacts the name of the JROTC school where he worked.
Investigators said they interviewed a former coworker in May who told deputies he frequently saw the victim inside Santana’s office with the door closed but did not witness any sexual conduct.
According to authorities, another witness told deputies he filed a formal complaint with the school’s principal during the same time period alleging Santana was “speaking inappropriately” to another student and was “grooming her.”
The witness told investigators he “was assured that his concerns would be addressed and that the proper authorities would be notified, but police were never informed,” the report states.
Authorities said Santana was later permitted to transfer to Miami-Dade County and no longer worked for Broward Schools.
Court and jail records show Santana has also faced allegations in Miami-Dade County. Records indicate a 2004 case charged him with sexual battery by a person in familial or custodial authority involving a victim between the ages of 12 and 17.
In the current Broward case, records show Santana is facing one count of sexual battery by a person in custodial authority involving a victim between the ages of 12 and 18.
As of Thursday morning, he was being held without bond at the Broward County Main Jail.
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