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Montco middle-school teacher charged with sexually assaulting teens

A Montgomery County middle-school teacher was charged Tuesday with sexually assaulting two teenage girls, authorities said Wednesday. Jason Gattuso, 39, of East Fairwood Drive in Chalfont, Bucks County, was a social studies teacher at Springfield Township Middle School, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said.

Jason Gattuso faces charges that include aggravated sexual assault and corruption of minors.
Jason Gattuso faces charges that include aggravated sexual assault and corruption of minors.Read moreMontgomery County D.A.'s Office

A Montgomery County middle-school teacher was charged Tuesday with sexually assaulting two teenage girls, authorities said Wednesday.

Jason Gattuso, 39, of East Fairwood Drive in Chalfont, Bucks County, was a social studies teacher at Springfield Township Middle School, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said.

Gattuso was interviewed Monday and admitted to having sex with the girls, who were 14 and 15 years old, according to the criminal complaint filed by Springfield and Whitemarsh police. He met them as middle school students, authorities said, but the assaults occurred after they went to high school.

The Springfield school district placed Gattuso on administrative leave after his arrest and said it is moving to dismiss him.

"This is a shocking and disturbing incident," Superintendent Nancy Hacker said in a statement. "We have informed parents of the arrest of the teacher and will be working closely with our families and staff to provide them with the necessary supports and guidance."

Gattuso was arraigned Tuesday before a magisterial district judge and jailed under $500,000 bail. His attorney, Thomas Egan III, declined comment Wednesday.

One girl allegedly told police Gattuso began sending her text messages in September 2014 that later became sexual in nature. In January 2015, she said, Gattuso went to her house to help her study, and had sex with her.

The second girl told police Gattuso began sending her texts and sexual photos when she was in ninth grade, according to the complaint. She allegedly said they had sex 15 to 20 times, often in parking lots around Fort Washington.

Gattuso is charged with felony statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent sexual assault, institutional sexual assault, and corruption of minors. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 9.

Anyone who has information regarding other possible victims is asked to call Springfield Township Police Cpl. Robert Chiarlanza at 215-836-1601, ext. 275.

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