PE teacher arrested for alleged sexual assault of middle schooler – Palo Alto Daily Post

By the Daily Post team

Palo Alto police arrested a physical education teacher this afternoon (June 15) on a warrant charging him with sexually assaulting a sixth-grade student 20 years ago.

Arrested was Peter Michael Colombo, 55, of Redwood City. He was incarcerated at the Santa Clara County Main Jail.

In late January 2022, Palo Alto Unified School District administrators contacted police after receiving an email reporting that a current physical education teacher at Greene Middle School sexually assaulted an 11-year-old student in 2001. detectives launched an investigation and district officials placed Colombo on paid administrative leave.

The alleged victim, who is now in her 30s, had been sexually assaulted by Colombo in the locker room at Jordan Middle School (currently known as Greene Middle School) when she was in sixth grade (the 2001-2002 school year ), according to the police.

Police said the assault happened during lunchtime.

This afternoon, Colombo surrendered to the Palo Alto Police Department without incident.

Police said they were not aware of any other alleged victims. But they encourage anyone who may have been a victim to call them at (650) 329-2413.

Martha K. Merrill