Accused Of Molesting 2 Students, Substitute Teacher Behind Bars

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — A substitute teacher for Pasco County Schools was arrested after two students accused him of groping and fondling them on school grounds.

Richard Berrios 20, of Merita Drive in Holiday, was arrested Wednesday night and charged with the lewd and lascivious molestation of two girls under the age of 12.

Berrios worked as a substitute for the district for two months before the incident, according to Pasco County Schools.

According to the arrest affidavit, on Dec. 13, Berrios was substituting at James Marlowe Elementary School in New Port Richey. While standing outside on the physical education courts, an 11-year old girl said Berrios gave her a "side hug." Then she said he stood behind her, put one hand on her shoulder and then squeezed first her breast and then her butt with the other hand.

She told detectives that she was scared because he was a teacher, but she did not want to be touched.

When she pulled away, she said Berrios said to her, "Come back here, baby girl."

Afterward, a 10-year-old girl said Berrios walked behind her, put one arm around her shoulder and grabbed her breast with the other hand. She said he then moved his hand down the front of her clothes to her crotch, then her butt.

Three other students told investigators that they witnessed the assault. One said Berrios attempted to do the same to her, but she managed to get away before he could hug and fondle her.

A detective questioned Berrios at his home in Holiday. Berrios claimed he may have bumped the girls as he was walking by, but he did not mean to touch them. After more questioning, he said he may have grabbed the victim's breasts and butt, but it "was not in a sexual manner."

"Although we do not believe there are additional victims, we want to ensure citizens are aware in the event anyone has additional information or believes they may be a victim as well," Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said.

The Pasco County School District promptly issued a statement Wednesday night, reiterating Nocco's comments while urging parents to come forward if they believe their student was victimized.

"We are very disappointed," read the statement. "As soon as the students came forward with the allegations, Mr. Berrios was inactivated as a sub and we reported it to law enforcement. We appreciate the Pasco Sheriff’s Office’s thorough investigation, which resulted in the arrest today, and we applaud the brave students for coming forward."

Anyone with any information should contact the sheriff's office tip line at 1-800-706-2488 or click here.