CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) - Authorities say a Rhode Island high school teacher charged with sexually assaulting four students was previously forced to resign from a teaching position following inappropriate touching allegations.
Charles Pearson, a science teacher at Cranston High School West, was charged last week with 12 counts of second-degree sexual assault.
Chief Michael Winquist says the 58-year-old Pearson was forced to resign from a teaching position at the Rhode Island Training School in 2001.
Winquist says Pearson resigned as girls’ soccer coach in 2013 after allegedly touching a player inappropriately. In 2009, he was accused of using inappropriate language in front of the team.
A lawyer for Pearson did not immediately return a call seeking comment. His lawyer previously told WJAR-TV that Pearson “adamantly denies any inappropriate conduct” at Cranston High School West.
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