Former Richmond Teacher Faces Numerous Child Molestation Charges: DA

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A former Richmond charter school teacher is facing multiple charges of child molestation, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office said.

Twenty-nine counts were filed Friday against Anessa Paige Gower in Contra Costa County Superior Court.

Gower, 35, is accused of engaging in numerous acts of a sexual nature with minors this year and last year while she worked as a biology teacher at Making Waves Academy in Richmond, the DA's Office said.

Gower was arrested Wednesday morning at the Sacramento International Airport as she returned to California from Hawaii. She was taken into custody by Richmond police with assistance from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office.

"The case involves seven minors, so their identities are being withheld," Contra Costa County DA's Office Spokesperson Ted Asregadoo said in a news release.

"Investigators took statements from the victims and witnesses about a number of incidents involving sex acts with minors, inappropriate touching, and sharing sexually graphic photos over online platforms," Asregadoo said.

Gower remained in custody Friday at the Martinez jail with her bail set at $1.9 million, jail records showed.

Making Waves Academy has an enrollment of 1,100 students in fifth-12th grades at its campus at 4123 Lakeside Drive in Richmond.

"There is nothing more important than the health, safety and well-being of our students," Making Waves Academy CEO Alton Nelson said in a statement emailed to Patch. "During the course of an investigation into allegations that one of our teachers violated school policy, we learned of additional highly concerning allegations involving that teacher’s conduct. We immediately shared that information with authorities who are reviewing the matter. That teacher is no longer employed by Making Waves Academy and we have reached out to parents, students and faculty to provide support where it might be needed. At this time we can make no further comment."