Montgomery County

Montgomery County Teacher Charged With Sexually Abusing Student: Police

A special education teacher in Montgomery County, Maryland, was arrested on charges that he sexually abused a high school student, police say.

Peter Wright Priest Mason, 42, worked at Colonel Zadok Magruder High School in Derwood when he started a sexual relationship with a girl who is a student at the school, police said.

Detectives started investigating Mason on Nov. 2 and the school system put him on administrative leave.

Mason was arrested Wednesday and charged with sexual abuse of a minor and fourth-degree sex offense by a person in a position of authority.

Mason has worked with Montgomery County Public Schools since 2011 and worked at Northwest High School in Germantown from 2011 to 2015. 

He has worked at Magruder High School since 2015.

Police are asking parents of students who may have had contact with Mason to talk to their children about their interactions with him. Anyone who believes their child was victimized can call 240-773-5400.

"These charges are deeply concerning and unacceptable and represent a serious breach of trust, responsibility, integrity and the law. We hold our employees to a high standard of character and these allegations violate that," Principal Dr. Leroy Evans said in a statement to parents.

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