Montco Private School Employee Sexually Assaulted Student: Police

A 40-year-old former Gwynedd Mercy Academy Elementary employee has been charged with institutional sexual assault and other related crimes after authorities say he had sexual contact with a 13-year-old student.

Marcus Forte of Warrington, a former IT department employee at the private school, is being held on $500,000 bail at Montgomery County prison, court records show.

He was arrested by Upper Gwynedd Township Police Monday after authorities said he had a months-long sexual relationship with a student stemming from illegal encounters in and outside of school.

Police were notified of the situation after a therapist at the school told police she saw text messages between Forte and the teen and had the student’s phone in her possession, an affidavit of probable cause said.

Police say in April, the student texted Forte saying she was home sick from school. Forte replied “come to my house and snuggle.”

Authorities say he picked up the student and they went to Starbucks. He then drove her home and followed her inside, police said. Once inside, he began touching and tickling her, police said. The girl told police he was “literally on top of me” and she didn’t know what to do.

Authorities say Forte groped her inappropriately and was trying to kiss her repeatedly despite her resistance. She told him her mom was on her way home and he eventually left, according to the affidavit.

Forte later told the victim he did not remember the incident.

The victim also told police she had visited Forte in his private office at school during lunch for several months leading up to the incident at her home. During those meetings, he would kiss her and hold her on his lap, police said.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, Forte and the teen exchanged Facebook messages as well as direct text messages, during which Forte said things like “I love you” and “come visit more often so I can give you more hugs and smooches…and candy of course.”

During an interview with police, authorities said Forte admitted he “inadvertently” touched the teen’s breast during what he said was “extreme hugging.” He also admitted to having the teen in his office during school hours with the door closed.