Bell High School teacher arrested on sexual assault charges

Fifteen years after the alleged incident, a teacher at Bell Senior High School was arrested Friday on charges of sexual assault on a student, according to Los Angeles police and school officials.

The assault allegedly happened in 1999 when the suspect, Peter Christopher Gomez, was a teacher at Franklin High School, said LAPD spokeswoman Rosario Herrera. She did not have any more details about the allegations or about the gender or age of the student at the time.

Gomez, 47, a resident of La Habra, has been a history and drama teacher at Bell Senior High School for nine years, according to a statement by the Los Angeles Unified School District. He began working for the district in 1996 at Franklin and in 2005 moved to Bell.

“We are cooperating with the Los Angeles Police Department,” L.A. schools Supt. John Deasy said in a statement. “The teacher will not be allowed near students prior to the conclusion of the investigation and the resolution of charges.”

The school district said it has notified parents and guardians Friday of the arrest. Herrera said detectives are asking the public to come forward with information about any additional students who might have been victims.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Detectives Lina Teague or Michelle Gomez at Northeast Division, Sexual Assault Detail at (323) 344-5742. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.

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larry.gordon@latimes.com