Meade High School Teacher Accused of Inappriopately Touching Student; Defense Attorney Says He 'Emphatically Denies' the Allegations

A teacher at Meade High School was arrested and released today after being accused of inappropiately touching one of his students, allegations which he has denied.  

The Anne Arundel County Police said that on January 26, 2023, the Anne Arundel County Police Department became aware of an alleged sex offense that occurred between a female student at Meade High School and a male teacher. "According to the victim, the suspect touched her "private and intimate areas" over and under her clothing while in the school building. The victim made a report, and an investigation was immediately launched," the police department stated in a news release.  

Immediately upon being notified of the allegations, the school system removed the teacher from the school. On April 26, 2023, detectives applied for and received charges against the suspect. On May 1, 2023, the suspect, Manuel Navarro-Montero, 49, was arrested on the open warrant and later released on his own personal recongnizance.  

Mr. Navarro has been employed by AACPS since August of 2018, and has spent the entirety of that time at Meade High School.

The school system released the following statement:

“Our school system removed this teacher from his assignment on the day we became aware of the allegation and placed him in a position in which he has had no contact with students. The placing of these charges means that we will now begin the process of suspending him without pay as we await the completion of the criminal proceedings. Those who would prey on children have no place in any school anywhere.”

 Thomas Morrow, defense attorney for Mr. Navarro-Montero, said the following:  

"I will be representing Mr. Navarro-Montero.  He emphatically denies the allegations and we look forward to the opportunity to defend the allegations in an  appropriate forum."