South Gate : Teacher Held in Molestation

A South Gate Junior High School bilingual education teacher has been arrested on suspicion of molesting one of his former students.

Enrique Perez, 62, was arrested at the school for investigation of “lewd and lascivious acts against a child under 14” and oral copulation, South Gate Police Lt. Mike Blaska said.

Perez, who teaches English as a second language specializing in math, is suspected of molesting a former male student two years ago, Blaska said. The student no longer attends the school.

Principal Pete Ferry said he received the allegations through an anonymous phone call. Ferry said he notified the police, who then conducted an investigation.

“This is shocking,” said Ferry, who described Perez as a respected and model teacher at the nearly 4,000-student campus.

Perez, who has been at the school for more than five years, was immediately reassigned to administrative duties within the Los Angeles Unified School District until the matter is resolved, Ferry said.

Bail was set at $5,000, and Perez is scheduled for arraignment Dec. 11 at South Gate Municipal Court, Blaska said.