PE teacher arrested for alleged sex assault of middle school student

By the Daily Post staff

Palo Alto police arrested a physical education teacher this afternoon (June 15) on an arrest warrant charging him with sexually assaulting a sixth-grade female student 20 years ago.

Arrested was Peter Michael Colombo, 55, of Redwood City. He was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail.

In late January 2022, Palo Alto Unified School District administrators contacted police after receiving an email reporting that a current PE teacher at Greene Middle School had sexually assaulted an 11-year-old student in 2001. Detectives launched an investigation and district officials put Colombo on paid administrative leave.

The alleged victim, who is now in her 30s, had been sexually assaulted by Colombo in the locker room of Jordan Middle School (currently known as Greene Middle School) while she was in the sixth grade (the 2001-2002 school year), according to police.

Police said the assault occurred during the lunch hour.

This afternoon, Colombo turned himself in at the Palo Alto Police Department without incident.

Police said they’re not aware of any other alleged victims. But they encourage anyone who may have been victimized to call them at (650) 329-2413.