Middle school gym teacher accused of sexually assaulting student in 2001
Above: Peter Colombo booking photo | Palo Alto PD
A Palo Alto gym teacher has been arrested for the alleged sexual assault of a female student over twenty years ago, according to police.
55-year-old Peter Michael Colombo stands accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old student at Greene Middle School, where he works as a physical education teacher, in 2001. At that time, the school was called Jordan Middle School.
Police recently began investigating after receiving an email tip regarding the alleged assault, and Colombo was placed on administrative leave as soon as the school was made aware of the investigation, according to reports.
The victim, who was in sixth grade at the time and is now in her thirties, alleges that Colombo assaulted her in the locker room during lunch hour.
Upon completion of the investigation by police, on June 13, the District Attorney’s Office charged Colombo with felony aggravated sexual assault of a child. The next day, an arrest warrant was issued. The day after that, on June 15, Colombo reportedly turned himself in.
He remains in custody at the Santa Clara County main jail.
