Bradenton teacher arrested after molesting ‘several’ students, deputies say
Deputies arrested a Bradenton teacher accused of molesting and inappropriately touching students at a local charter school, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said.
Richard Silberman, 72, is charged with three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and two counts of battery, according to the sheriff’s office. Detectives say “several” children at Team Success A School of Excellence reported that Silberman touched them on a leg or shoulder in ways that made them uncomfortable.
One 10-year-old student told investigators that Silberman touched their genital area over clothing while working together at the school, located at 202 13th Ave. E in Bradenton, according to a news release. Detectives said the student also reported that Silberman had made similar advances in the past.
School officials removed Silberman from the classroom after learning of the allegations and told him not to return to work, deputies said.
Over the following two weeks, detectives with the sheriff’s Crimes Against Children Section interviewed additional students who described similar experiences, according to the release. The sheriff’s office said they issued five arrest warrants for Silberman after the investigation.
Silberman was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Manatee County Jail, where he remains in custody. Silberman is being held on $50,000 bond, according to the sheriff’s office website.
Deputies said Silberman denied the allegations.
The investigation is ongoing, according to the sheriff’s office.
