Magruder Special Ed Teacher Charged With Sexually Abusing Student

ROCKVILLE, MD — A Montgomery County special education teacher was arrested on Wednesday and charged with sexually abusing a female high school student, police said.

Peter Wright Priest Mason, 42, of New Market, is accused of having a sexual relationship with the teen at Colonel Zadok Magruder High School — which is located at 5939 Muncaster Mill Rd. in Derwood.

Montgomery County police began investigating Mason on Nov. 2, after learning about his alleged sexual relationship with the student. It is not immediately known who tipped off police.

Mason has been employed with the well-regarded public school system since 2011, working as a para-educator at Northwest High School in Germantown until 2015. He went on to work at Magruder, where he allegedly sexually abused a high school student.

The Magruder teacher was hit with a slew of charges — to include a fourth-degree sex offense by a person in a position of authority — less than a month after county school officials placed him on administrative leave.

Leroy C. Evans, the school's principal, sent a letter to families and students about the allegations on Nov. 4, saying that the safety of students is the school's "top priority."

In the letter, Evans also said: "Law enforcement has requested that we refrain from sharing details regarding this allegation with the community to avoid prejudicing the ongoing investigation. We will provide an update to the community when we have additional information."

Evans confirmed that both the county police department and the county state's attorney's office are looking into the allegations.

Mason is scheduled to appear in Montgomery County District Court in Rockville on Dec. 20, according to court documents. Attorney and bond information are currently not available.

Detectives are asking parents of students who may have had contact with Mason to talk to their children about their interactions with him. Anyone who believes they were victimized by Mason should call detectives at 240-773-5400.

Resources for Help

• Victim Assistance & Sexual Assault Program: Call the hotline at 240-777-4357
• Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA): Call 301-328-7023 or email info@mcasa.org
• SAFE: Go to Shady Grove Adventist Healthcare Center in Rockville / Call 240-826-6000
• Information for what to do after sexual assault