A private school teacher in Potomac, Maryland, has been charged with sexual abuse of two teenage girls, police said.
Justin Andrew Gordon, 40, was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts of sexual abuse of a minor and two counts of fourth-degree sexual offense.
Gordon is accused of having inappropriate relationships with two students at all-girls Connelly School of the Holy Child, where he taught robotics.
"This is a 40-year-old man exerting influence and allegedly sexually touching these young women that are underage," state's attorney's spokesman Ramon Korionoff said.
According to court documents, Gordon may have treated the victims as if he was dating them and had relationships with them.
One relationship began in October at school and sporting events. Eventually, Gordon and the girl were communicating daily, and by May the relationship had advanced to inappropriate touching, police said. She reported Gordon may have acted inappropriately, and the school contacted police.
While investigating that relationship, police found another victim. She began a relationship with Gordon in 2008 when she was a student at Connelly, police said. Their friendship led to sexual contact by 2012, police said.
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Gordon was fired when the Catholic school found out about the criminal allegations against him.
A judge set an unsecured bond of $50,000 Friday, meaning he does not have to put up any money for his release. Gordon was ordered to stay away from Connelly and from minors.
"Although the contact is slight and minor in any other situation, given the fact that both of these girls apparently were 17 years old, near 18, it makes a difference," said Gordon's lawyer, John Kudel.
Connelly Head of School Shannon Gomez released a statement reiterating the school's commitment to the well-being of its students. She said the school screens all faculty and staff before hiring them.
"We are grateful to those who had the courage and sensibility to alert us to this situation and we commend the Montgomery County Police Department for its care and concern for those involved and for its communication with the school," the statement said.
Montgomery County Police detectives are concerned there may be other victims and ask anyone with information to call the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5400.
