SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A former La Jolla Country Day School (LJCDS) teacher was arrested in Northern California on sexual misconduct charges, according to the school.
Jonathan Sammartino, 35, was arrested Monday in San Jose on three felony charges of sexual misconduct with a minor, statements from LJCDS and his current employer, The Harker School in San Jose, said.
The San Diego County District Attorney's Office said a criminal complaint was filed, with Sammartino facing the following felony counts:
-- statutory rape
-- oral copulation of a minor
-- digital penetration of a minor
According to the DA's office, Sammartino faces four years and four months in prison if convicted of all charges.
Sammartino posted bail following his arrest in Santa Clara County, according to the DA's office. He is scheduled to be arraigned in a San Diego courtroom on Oct. 23.
LJCDS was notified of Sammartino's arrest Wednesday through the school's background check system. The former teacher taught social science courses at the campus from 2012 to 2016.
It's unclear if Sammartino's alleged victim was a current or former LJCDS student or where the alleged crime occurred.
Harker School officials said they have placed Sammartino on administrative leave pending the investigation. They added they have no information that the teacher committed any crimes while briefly at the school.
The Harker School said charges against Sammartino were filed after their extensive background checks were completed, which is why no concerns were raised to them.
Sammartino was also a paid lecturer at UC San Diego from 2011-2014 and in 2016, UC San Diego confirmed.
