Jesse Serrato, 29, is charged with committing lewd acts on a child. (Whittier Police Dept.) |
WHITTIER (KTLA) -- A gym teacher in Whittier is under arrest, charged with committing lewd acts on a child.
29-year-old Jesse Serrato was teaching physical education at East Whittier Middle School.
Serrato is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old student at the school over a period of several months.
He was arrested at his home in Whittier on Wednesday.
Police say Serrato was also a part-time coach at La Serna High School. He had coached there for three years, school officials said, but worked as a coach at Pioneer High School as far back as 2002.
The East Whittier City School District, which includes the middle school, has put Serrato on administrative leave. He has worked at the district for four years.
The Whittier Union School District fired Serrato from his coaching position after learning about his arrest.
Both districts say they did background checks with the FBI and Department of Justice before hiring Serrato.
Authorities believe there may be additional victims, and they are asking anyone with information to come forward.
Serrato is being held on $200,000 at the Whittier Police Department jail.
29-year-old Jesse Serrato was teaching physical education at East Whittier Middle School.
Serrato is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old student at the school over a period of several months.
He was arrested at his home in Whittier on Wednesday.
Police say Serrato was also a part-time coach at La Serna High School. He had coached there for three years, school officials said, but worked as a coach at Pioneer High School as far back as 2002.
The East Whittier City School District, which includes the middle school, has put Serrato on administrative leave. He has worked at the district for four years.
The Whittier Union School District fired Serrato from his coaching position after learning about his arrest.
Both districts say they did background checks with the FBI and Department of Justice before hiring Serrato.
Authorities believe there may be additional victims, and they are asking anyone with information to come forward.
Serrato is being held on $200,000 at the Whittier Police Department jail.
