COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A 40-year-old high school teacher is accused of sexually assaulting a child, according to police.
Bryan Paul Mertz an Air Academy High School science teacher, was charged with Sexual Assault on a Child by One in a Position of Trust. The charges came after a search warrant was issues, and police arrested Mertz at his home.
Police said the Special Victims Section - Crime against Children Unit was first notified by a resource officer about a possible sexual offense involving a District 20 high school teacher.
The SRO received information about the assault from a student.
Academy District 20 representative Nanette Anderson said the school's "Safe to Tell" program teaches students to speak up about these kind of situations.
"Students are trained on how to access that program and how to describe a situation that they think is unsafe for themselves or others," she explained, "We always encourage students to tell an adult."
Because of Mertz's access to minors during his time at Air Academy, police are concerned there may be other victims.
Parents and school staff were notified of the arrest Thursday.
Any information on any other possible situations regarding this teacher can be reported to police at 444-7000.
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