TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Zobella Brazil Vinik has agreed to a plea deal where she will serve between six months to a year in jail. She will be taken into custody as soon as she is sentenced.
Her sentencing date is September 25th.
In the plea deal, she will plead guilty to:
- Sexual Conduct with a Minor at Least 15 Years of Age, Solicitation, Position of Trust
- Child Abuse, Circumstances Not Likely to Cause Serious Injury or Death
Update May 17, 2022
Forensic investigators are confirming a Tucson High School teenager had sexual relations with Zobella Brazil Vinik.
According to an interim complaint, the two's relationship turned sexual three months ago in February.
The 15-year-old confessed to having intercourse and engaging in other sexual activity multiple times.
This teenager, anonymously called "IC" in paperwork, claims they were in love, but "knew the relationship was bad because of Zobella's age."
Someone close to Zobella alerted authorities the teenager was living with the counselor for some time.
Original story below:
The Tucson Police Department Child Sexual Assault Unit responded to an inappropriate relationship between a school counselor and 15-year-old student on May 3, 2022.
The counselor worked at Tucson High School, which was attended by the student, but actions took place off school property.
The counselor has been identified as 29-year-old Zobella Brazil Vinik.
On May 11, 2022, Vinik turned herself in to detectives.
Vinik faces one count of Sexual Conduct with a Minor and was booked into the Pima County Jail.
Tucson Unified School District Superintendent informed students parents and guardians.
On May 4th, 2022, detectives from the Tucson Police Department Sexual Assault Unit informed the administration of Tucson High Magnet School of an ongoing investigation into one of its counselors, Zobella Brazil Vinik. The administration was informed of an alleged inappropriate relationship between the counselor and a 15-year-old student from Tucson High.
Working with the Tucson High administration, the District administration acted swiftly to remove the counselor from campus and place her on administrative leave.
Our School Safety Department immediately initiated a comprehensive investigation into this alleged incident, which is currently ongoing.
On Thursday May 5th, 2022, Ms. Vinik resigned her position from the Tucson Unified School District and is no longer an employee of the district. The Tucson Unified School District administration will continue to cooperate with the Tucson Police Department in its ongoing investigation.
Our administration will continue to emphasize the health and safety of our students as our highest priority.
Dr. Gabriel Trujillo
Tucson Unified School District
Superintendent
The investigation is active.
Anyone with information, call 911 or 88-CRIME.
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Bivian Contreras is a real-time editor for KGUN 9. Bivian graduated from the University of Arizona School of Journalism with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Broadcast and is currently pursuing a degree in Broadcast Operational Meteorology. Share your story ideas and important issues with Bivian by emailing bivian.contreras@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
