New Sexual Abuse Charges Filed Against Former Teacher

New sex abuse charges were filed Friday in the case of a former substitute teacher who had worked at 20 Montgomery County Public Schools since the fall of 2013 and is accused of having inappropriate contact with students.

The school system earlier this month notified parents that it continues to look into the employment record of Jose Pineda, the teacher who was arrested for conduct at Roberto Clemente Middle School in Germantown.

Montgomery County Police charged Pineda on Oct. 17 with one count of third-degree sex offense. Since that arrest, three more victims have come forward with similar allegations.

On Nov. 21, detectives charged Pineda with three additional counts of third-degree sex offense and three counts of sexual abuse of a minor. Two of the victims were students at Ridgeview Middle School and one was a victim student at Forest Oak Middle School. At the times of the alleged sex offenses the students were in either the sixth or seventh grade.

School officials say the principals at these schools sent a letter home to make parents aware that Pineda worked in the school and ask them to report any information about inappropriate conduct to the police and school administrators.

A version of that letter and a list of the schools where Pineda worked are included here.

Pineda had worked at Ridgeview Middle School for 29 days and Gaithersburg Elementary School for three days since the beginning of last school year.

In an announcement posted on its website, MCPS noted it will work with police to ensure that any reports of inappropriate conduct involving Pineda are investigated in a timely and thorough manner.

Families can also contact Montgomery County Police at 240-773-5400.