Teacher arrested for ongoing sexual relationship with underage student
William Dawson (Gilroy Dispatch)
SANTA CLARA COUNTY — The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of a suspected sexual assault suspect who had been teaching at the Gilroy Early College Academy.
According to Sergeant R. Glennon, “On 11/29/2016, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office began a criminal investigation into an alleged sexual relationship between an underage female student and her male teacher at the Gilroy Early College Academy (GECA). GECA is an educational partnership between Gilroy Unified School District and Gavilan College.”
The 32-year-old suspect, William Dawson, was reported to have had an inappropriate relationship with a female student during the 2014-2015 school year.
The discovery of the ongoing relationship with the student attending GECA immediately landed him on administrative leave.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office was notified and investigators working with the Sexual Assault Unit began the investigation into Dawson’s alleged sexual misconduct. The female victim was 17 when the allegations were brought forward.
According to Glennon, “Investigators interviewed multiple parties during the course of the investigation and also collected evidence.”
After two years into the investigation it was believed that enough information had been gathered to detain and charge Dawson. Glennon said, ”On the evening of 02/22/17, William Dawson of Los Gatos, age 32, was arrested at the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters on seven felony charges.”
Each charge stems from multiple counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, multiple counts of unlawful sexual intercourse, and a single count of distribution of harmful matter sent to seduce a minor.
Dawson was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail and was released after posting $150,000 bail. The investigation into the charges is still ongoing. Investigators do not believe there are any other victims who previously attended or currently attend GECA.
The Sheriff’s Office Investigators are asking any persons with information regarding the above case to contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Detective Unit at 408-808-4500.
