Mesa teacher’s aide arrested for alleged inappropriate contact with student at Empower Academy

MESA, Ariz. — A Mesa teacher’s aide was arrested for alleged inappropriate contact with a student on Tuesday, following an investigation by the Mesa Police Department’s Special Victims Unit. 

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In a release, police said they responded to a call from school administrators at Empower Academy on Monday and, after interviewing the 14-year-old student and his parents, launched an investigation. 

Mesa detectives said they executed search warrants and conducted additional interviews, leading to the arrest of 24-year-old Dominic Sette. 

Police said Sette allegedly communicated with the victim for several months and requested explicit images through text messages. 

Sette is facing charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and luring of a minor for sexual exploitation. 

 Empower Academy shared the following statement with 12News: 

It was brought to our attention on Monday, February 2, 2026, that [Dominic] Sette, a former middle school paraprofessional, was allegedly involved in misconduct involving a student. Upon receiving this information, the Empower Academy administration immediately notified the Mesa Police Department to file a report. The Mesa Police Department has our full cooperation and assistance with this matter. Out of respect for the ongoing investigation and the individuals involved, our ability to share further details is limited at this time.

The safety and well-being of our students is, and always has been, our highest priority. Empower Academy maintains rigorous hiring and safety protocols, including background checks and fingerprint clearance cards for all employees. We take matters of student safety extremely seriously and act decisively when concerns arise.

12News is awaiting a response from Empower Academy regarding the employment dates for Sette.  

>> This story will be updated as additional information becomes available. Stay with 12News for the latest.

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