East Palo Alto school employee charged with lewd acts with minors on campus

A Peninsula middle school employee was arrested Monday for allegedly engaging in lewd acts with a minor on campus, police said.

According to East Palo Alto police, authorities have issued a $500,000 arrest warrant for 54-year-old James Edward Fitch at his Stockton home. Fitch was arrested on three counts of sexual assault of a minor and one count of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual assault.

According to police, Fitch worked as a campus relations coordinator at Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School in East Palo Alto.

Officials launched an investigation on Sept. 6 after receiving a tip that Fitch had allegedly engaged in lewd acts with a child at his workplace. Police did not release further details.

Fitch will be taken to the San Mateo County Jail, police said Monday. It was not immediately clear when he would appear in court on the charges.

Anyone with additional information on the case is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Luaorozco of the Criminal Investigation Division at 650-629-4538. Tips can also be submitted to East Palo Alto police at 650-853-3160 or anonymously via email to [email protected] or by phone or text at 650-409-6792.