A former Gustine High School vice principal has admitted to felony sex crimes involving a student on the Gustine campus, according to newly filed Merced County court records — revelations that have raised fresh concerns among parents and educators about how he later secured administrative jobs in Modesto.

Brian Chubon, 53, pleaded guilty on Jan. 14 to charges of unlawful sexual intercourse and oral copulation with a 17‑year‑old student. Prosecutors say the conduct occurred in the spring of 2022 while Chubon was serving as vice principal at Gustine High School.

A criminal complaint was filed in 2024 in Merced County Superior Court. In his plea, Chubon acknowledged the elements of the charges, which stemmed from the unlawful relationship with the Gustine student.

After leaving Merced County, Chubon relocated to Stanislaus County and was hired by Modesto City Schools. District officials confirmed he became assistant principal at Mark Twain Junior High School in July 2022 and was promoted to principal at Roosevelt Junior High School in July 2025. He is no longer employed by the district.

Modesto City Schools said in a statement that the alleged conduct involved a former student from outside the district and that Chubon passed a background check when he was hired. The district also said it was unaware of the Merced County criminal investigation at the time, describing the information it received from Merced County agencies as “inconsistent with the processes normally taken in these situations.”

The Merced County Office of Education responded that it followed state protocol, including a Department of Justice Live Scan background check, and noted that criminal charges were not filed until after Chubon had already begun working in Modesto.

The case has renewed scrutiny in Gustine, where parents and former students say they were stunned to learn that a vice principal accused of misconduct on their campus was later able to move into another administrative role elsewhere in the region. Some have questioned why the allegations did not surface sooner and how the hiring process allowed Chubon to continue working with students.

Concerns over gaps in background‑check procedures prompted state lawmakers to pass Assembly Bill 2534 in 2025, requiring teachers and administrators to disclose prior employers and mandating that school districts verify allegations, including those involving abuse.

Chubon’s sentencing will be determined in upcoming proceedings in Merced County under California law.