A Redwood City high school teacher's aide is facing multiple felony charges for having a relationship with a 15-year-old student, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.
Gustabo Rodriguez, 22, was exposed when an anonymous tipster forwarded a video of him shaving the student's pubic hair to the school's vice principal, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Rodriguez has been charged with four counts of felony oral copulation with a minor. He made an initial appearance in court on Monday, the DA's Office said.
Rodriguez was a part-time teacher's aide at Sequoia High School in Redwood City and while working there allegedly had oral sex with the victim four times at his Redwood City home earlier this year.
At one point, he allegedly made a video of himself shaving the student's pubic hair without the teen's knowledge, according to the DA's Office.
District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe admits the way the relationship was exposed is unusual.
"There was an email sent to the vice principal over at the school, and in the email, there was a video showing the conduct that was being engaged in," Wagstaffe said.
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The DA added that the relationship was consensual.
"They started out as a friendly relationship, and it turned into a sexual relationship," Wagstaffe said. "The victim wasn't forced into it. There's no allegations of force or coercion, but it is a crime to engage in oral copulation with a minor."
Rodriguez was arrested and charged last week.
Sequoia Union High School District Superintendent James Lianides released a statement saying district officials were "shocked and concerned" when they received the "disturbing video. Our staff effectively executed the district's student safety protocols in this situation and have been working closely with law enforcement."
Parents were equally shocked.
"What happened isn't right," said Bob Hayes. "Think about if it's your child. Rage goes through you first, especially if it's your child. Then you have to deal with your family. Words can't describe what goes through you."
The identity of the anonymous tipster is a mystery, according to prosecutors. Rodriguez remains in jail on $300,000 bail and is set to return to court on Aug. 10.
