San Jose Firefighter Charged for Drugs, But Not Sex Crimes

A veteran San Jose firefighter charged with three counts of selling, possessing and attempting to sell methamphetamine to an undercover officer was arraigned Tuesday afternoon in Santa Clara Superior Court.

Mario Cuestas, 53, was arrested last week at his fire station. At the time, investigators said he was also under suspicion of having sex with a 17-year-old boy.    


But, so far, prosecutors have not charged Cuestas with any sex crimes.

“There’s an ongoing investigation that involves sex with an underage minor, and that part of the investigation is still ongoing,” Deputy District Attorney Patrick Vanier said. “So I’m not at liberty to comment on that investigation at this time.”

Cuestas’ bail was set at $75,000.  He is due back in court next week to enter a plea.   

According to his Facebook page, Cuestas, a native of Guatemala City, was with the San Jose Fire Department since 1994 and also worked for the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose since 2012 as a church singer.

SJFD has put Cuestas on unpaid administrative leave.

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