According to officials, a Richmond charter school instructor was arrested and charged with 29 charges of indecent actions with minors, including statutory rape. According to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's office, her victims were seven boys ranging in age from 15 to 16.
Anessa Paige Gower, 35, is accused of child molestation on multiple counts. When she returned to California from Hawaii with a partner on April 6, she was apprehended by the Richmond Police Department with assistance from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office at Sacramento International Airport. She is now being held at Martinez's Contra Costa County Main Jail.
The allegations are "some sex-related, some social media communications, and inappropriate contact with minors," according to Paul Graves, the Contra Costa County deputy district attorney who oversees the sexual assault unit.
According to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's office, the biology teacher at Making Waves Academy, located at 3045 Research Drive, is accused of engaging in sexual activity with the boys between October 2021 and February 2022.
According to authorities, students reported her to administrators, who notified Richmond police. On February 18, police began an inquiry. The number of students she is accused of abusing then increased from two to seven during the inquiry.
Victims and witnesses reported a number of occurrences involving unwanted touching and the sharing of sexually graphic pictures over digital platforms.
If you or someone you know may be a victim of sexual exploitation, please contact your local authorities by calling 911.