Prince George's Co. teacher arrested; accused of touching student and asking for kiss
LANHAM, Md. - A Prince George's County Public Schools teacher was arrested and has been placed on administrative leave after police say he allegedly sent inappropriate text messages soliciting sex from a 16-year-old student.
66-year-old Doney Olivieri, a DuVal High School teacher, faces charges of sexual solicitation of a minor and second-degree assault. He was released on a $135,000 bond, according to officials.
Olivieri allegedly sent inappropriate text messages to a student from June to September of this year and is accused of touching the student on the chest while in the classroom. Police were alerted to the situation by a family member and arrested Olivieri on Monday.
A former student of his told FOX 5 that he was not that surprised to hear the news, while a current student, a senior, told FOX 5 she now fears for her safety.
"So I'm just like wow this is actually happening at my school, I felt safe at one point but now I don't because it's just like you guys hired this man, you guys trusted him, he had parent teacher conferences, he has dealt with students, I'm pretty sure there is more than just one boy and I'm just really sad, I didn't think I would have this kind of allegation coming up to my school."
"Any behavior that brings harm to a student will not be tolerated in any way in Prince George's County Public Schools," school officials said in a statement. "We remain keenly focused on our commitment to ensuring a quality education in a safe environment for all students."
Prince George's County police say the uncle of the 16-year-old victim called them last Saturday night and told them that his nephew had been abused by Olivieri. More specifically, according to the charging document, the teen says the teacher squeezed him on the chest and asked him for a kiss while inside the classroom last month.
The document also says Olivieri sent text messages to who he thought was the teen from June to September - asking for sex. But in a twist it turns out, police say, the teacher was sending text messages not to the teen he wanted to have sex with but to another student at the school, a 17-year-old.
Prince George's County police are asking anyone with information to come forward.
"This is an active investigation and we are encouraging anybody, any witnesses or victims to come forward and give us any information they might have on this incident or other victims of Mr. Olivieri then you can give us a call as well and you can remain anonymous by calling us on our tip line."
Anyone with information is asked to call Prince George's County Police Department's Children and Vulnerable Adult Unit at 301-772-4930.