Palo Alto Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student 20 Years Ago

PALO ALTO, CA — A Palo Alto physical education teacher was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of sexually assaulting a student two decades ago.

Peter Michael Colombo, a 55-year-old Redwood City resident and teacher at Greene Middle School, surrendered to Palo Alto police on Wednesday and was charged with felony aggravated sexual assault of a child.

The incident happened at Greene Middle School in 2001 and came to light after an email to the Palo Alto Police Department in January. Colombo was suspected of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old, sixth grade female student in the locker room during the lunch hour.

Colombo was placed under administrative leave while detectives conducted the investigation.