Drama Teacher Arrested on Suspicion of Sexually Assaulting Minor

A drama and history teacher is accused of sexually assaulting a minor while he was an educator at a Southern California high school, authorities said.

Peter Christopher Gomez, 47, was taken into custody Friday afternoon and his bail has been set for $950,000, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The alleged sexual assaults happened in 1999 when Gomez was a teacher at Benjamin Franklin High School in Highland Park (map), LAPD said.

Gomez started his career with the Los Angeles Unified School District at Franklin High School in 1996, the district said. His most recent job was at Bell Senior High School, where he taught history and drama since 2005, the district said.

In a statement, Superintendent John Deasy said LAUSD is cooperating with LAPD.

“The teacher will not be allowed near students prior to the conclusion of the investigation, and the resolution of charges,” Deasy said.

Parents and guardians were notified Friday about the arrest, the district said.

Detectives are asking for the public's help in locating other students who may have been victimized. Anyone with information is urged to call detectives Lina Teague or Michelle Gomez at 323-344-5742.

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