Gateway HS teacher accused of inappropriately touching 14-year-old female student

MONROEVILLE, Pa. — A Gateway High School teacher facing charges including institutional sexual assault turned himself into police Wednesday, Monroeville Police Chief Doug Cole said.

According to a criminal complaint, a 14-year-old female student reported that teacher Franklin Vigo Jr. “touched her buttocks with his hand” last month.

Officials said the alleged incident happened in a classroom at the high school.

The girl told investigators that it was “not a full on grab and squeeze, but not just a swipe or brush either,” and that the “action made her feel uncomfortable,” the complaint said.

The Gateway School District sent a letter to parents on Sept. 22 after the accusation was brought to the attention of school officials. It said, in part:

"Gateway School District received information that a professional employee may have violated the District policy regarding staff/student boundaries. Gateway High School Administrators were informed of these allegations on Tuesday, September 20th and immediately contacted Child Protective Services and notified local law enforcement agencies. This allegation involves one student and stems from an incident within a classroom. The employee was placed on immediate paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigative report."

Vigo faced a magistrate after turning himself in Wednesday and was released on $50,000 bail.

Cox Media Group