What to Know
- Roberto Schwartz was a teacher at Riviera Middle School at the time of the incident.
- He is facing a felony charge after allegedly groping a female student multiple times.
A South Florida middle school teacher was arrested Friday for allegedly groping a student in a book closet.
Roberto Schwartz, a former instructor at Riviera Middle School in Miami, is facing a felony charge following the Oct. 7th incident, according to an arrest report.
The 42-year-old was teaching his sixth period class in the school’s library when he allegedly told the student to accompany him to a book closet. Once there, he closed the door behind them and proceeded to inappropriately touch the student, the arrest report said.
The student said Schwartz began turning the lights on and off repeatedly. When they were off, he started groping her with both hands, the arrest report said.
The student then pushed Schwartz toward the door and he turned the lights back on. The pair exited the closet and the student told her mother what had transpired.
The student also said Schwartz confided to her that he had dreams about former female students, according to the arrest report.
Local
Schwartz had been with Miami-Dade County Public Schools for 14 years with no prior disciplinary history.
In a statement, Miami-Dade County Public Schools said they were "deeply troubled by the disturbing allegations made against [Schwartz]."
"This type of comportment will not be tolerated as it runs contrary to the professional conduct we expect from all employees," the statement read.
Schwartz is no longer employed by Miami-Dade County Schools and will be precluded from seeking future employment with the district, the statement said.
Schwartz was arrested Friday and transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. He is being charged with offense against a student by an authority figure, a felony charge.
He was released on bond over the weekend. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for Nov. 18th.
