The Cranston Police Department announced Thursday that they had arrested a Cranston West High School science teacher Charles Pearson, age 58, of Warwick, for allegedly sexually assaulting four female high school students.
On March 24th, 2017 the Cranston Police Department received a complaint from the Cranston West High School Administrative Staff indicating that a female student had complained of a male science teacher allegedly touching her inappropriately. These allegations were also reported to a school psychologist. Cranston Police Special Victims Unit investigated the alleged sexual assault and learned that there were three additional victims. The alleged female victims range from fourteen to sixteen years of age. The alleged sexual assaults took place in the Cranston West High School between October 2016 and March 2017. Once the allegations were reported to the School Administration and the Cranston Police, Mr. Pearson was immediately placed on administrative leave.
Charles Pearson was charged with twelve counts of Second Degree Sexual Assault and was arraigned at Cranston Police Headquarters Thursday evening. He was released on $75,000 personal recognizance and ordered to have no contact with the victims. Mr. Pearson is scheduled to appear in 6th District Court on June 1st, 2017 for a Pre-Arraignment hearing.
Colonel Michael Winquist stated, “If the allegations are sustained against Mr. Pearson, this behavior is extremely troubling and is a violation of public trust, particularly based on his employment as a school teacher where he is charged with ensuring the health, safety and welfare of students. We rely on teachers to be mentors, educators and role models in our community. I want to commend the School Administrators, School Resource Officers and Special Victims Unit Detectives who acted quickly in investigating these allegations once it was brought to their attention”.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Cranston Police Department Special Victims Unit, Sergeant Lori Sweeney (401) 477-5037 or Detective Michael Iacone (401) 477-5062.
