Coral Reef Senior High Teacher Rafael Birriel Arrested, Accused Of Inappropriate Behavior With Student

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A Coral Reef Senior High School teacher accused of inappropriate behavior involving a student has been arrested.

In a message sent to parents, Principal Nicole Berge-MacInnes said the teacher, identified as Rafael Antonio Birriel, had been under investigation over the past year by the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department.

She said as soon as the allegations surfaced, he was immediately reassigned away from the school.

"We want to assure you that Coral Reef Senior High School continues to be a safe place for students. We will always take every precaution to safeguard the children in our care," said Berge-MacInnes in an email to parents.

"As a result of the arrest, the individual's employment will be terminated and he will be prevented from seeking future work with the District," Miami-Dade Schools said in a statement.

Birriel, a Social Studies teacher, was employed by the district for 13 years and had no prior history in his personnel file.

The allegations were first brought up against Birriel on March 30.

The victim told police that she stated throughout a period of one year she was involved in a romantic relationship with Birriel, which got physical on one occasion.

According to the arrest report, the victim said Birriel persuaded her to send erotic, nude, and racy photos of herself via a chatting app.

Conversations she turned to police were of a graphic nature, according to the report.

The victim said that their digital conversations started in June of 2019.

Police said on March 15, Birriel responded to Miami-Dade School Police headquarters with his attorney., at which time he was arrested for prohibited computer usage and offenses against students by authority figures.

Birriel was transported to the Turner Guilford Correctional Center without incident.