Uploaded May 2010 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago
An Avondale teacher was arrested Monday for allegedly sexually assaulting a special needs student, according to officials.
The Avondale Police Criminal Investigation Bureau has been investigating the Agua Fria High School students allegation of sexual assault since April 16. The alleged incident took place in mid-March in the teacher's office at the school.
According to officials, 35-year-old Brian Willner is a special education teacher at the west Valley high school and the head of the department.
He was also a teacher at Arizona State University, but school officials say he has since been fired.
Avondale Police Department spokesman Reuben Gonzales said officers arrested Willner at his home in Litchfield Park around 1 p.m. Monday after probable cause for the sexual assault had been established by investigators.
The 15-year-old female student was forensically interviewed and medically examined where evidence of the sexual assault was obtained.
"She was sexually assaulted and abused, the instructor did actually pin her down on the floor and sexually assaulted her," said Gonzales. Police also noted that both the teacher and student share the same sexually transmitted disease.
An Avondale teacher was arrested Monday for allegedly sexually assaulting a special needs student, according to officials.
The Avondale Police Criminal Investigation Bureau has been investigating the Agua Fria High School students allegation of sexual assault since April 16. The alleged incident took place in mid-March in the teacher's office at the school.
According to officials, 35-year-old Brian Willner is a special education teacher at the west Valley high school and the head of the department.
He was also a teacher at Arizona State University, but school officials say he has since been fired.
Avondale Police Department spokesman Reuben Gonzales said officers arrested Willner at his home in Litchfield Park around 1 p.m. Monday after probable cause for the sexual assault had been established by investigators.
The 15-year-old female student was forensically interviewed and medically examined where evidence of the sexual assault was obtained.
"She was sexually assaulted and abused, the instructor did actually pin her down on the floor and sexually assaulted her," said Gonzales. Police also noted that both the teacher and student share the same sexually transmitted disease.
