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	Catholic Teacher Arrested on Sex Abuse Warrant By Karl Fischer San Jose Mercury News May 2, 2008 http://www.mercurynews.com/crime/ci_9126905?nclick_check=1 Richmond police arrested a biology teacher at a Catholic high school on suspicion of sexually abusing a student, detectives said Thursday. Rickey Bonds, 30, was jailed Wednesday afternoon with bail set at $2.5 million on charges of continual sexual abuse of a 16-year-old girl who was his student within the past year at Salesian High School. Detectives plan to meet with the Contra Costa District Attorney's Office today to discuss criminal charges. "About a month ago, we received some information involving a student," Richmond Detective Sgt. Brian Dickerson said. "There were rumors that a teacher had engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with an underage girl." Allegations surfaced through rumors among students that reached Richmond police the same week the allegations reached the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, which distributed leaflets in front of the school April 11 to draw attention to the allegations. SNAP activists also demonstrated in front of the school in February after a 54-year-old woman came forward and said that a cleric abused her on the campus in the 1960s. Bonds, accompanied by his attorney, turned himself in at the Richmond Police Department on Wednesday afternoon, Dickerson said. Police found no evidence of other possible victims. Bonds also is a Salesian alumnus, according to the school's Fall 2007 newsletter. An article in the newsletter describes Bonds's work with two seniors and UC Berkeley graduate and postgraduate students last summer in a project competition. Salesian administrators learned of the rumors April 10 and immediately reported them both to Richmond police and Contra Costa Children and Family Services. The school immediately placed Bonds on leave, according to a written statement issued Wednesday by Principal Timothy Chambers, and "immediately notified students and parents." "Bonds was placed on administrative leave during this time of possible criminal investigation," Chambers said Thursday. Bonds has taught biology and anatomy at Salesian for two years, Chambers said. He remains on leave, and the school has no immediate plans to fire him, he added. Administrators read a news release to students Thursday outlining the allegations, and answered students' questions. "We wanted to help them understand they're in a safe environment and to make sure if they've encountered sexual abuse, that they have an avenue for reporting it," Chambers said. Reach Karl Fischer at 510-262-2728 or kfischer@bayareanewsgroup.com.
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