Update: Union City Teacher Charged with Molesting 8 Female Students

Updated May 3, 2:23 p.m.

A longtime Union City teacher is scheduled to be arraigned Friday afternoon on eight felony charges alleging that he molested eight different female students.

Michael William Howry, 47, a third grade teacher at Alvarado Elementary School, was arrested at his home in Alameda on Wednesday and is being held at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin in lieu of $1.5 million bail. [Ed's note: His last name is listed as "Howey" on New Haven Unified School District records, but the Alameda County District Attorney's office lists his last name as "Howry."]

He was initially charged with committing numerous sex acts with minors, but on Friday the Alameda County District Attorney's Office charged Howry with three counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child under the age of 14 and five counts of child molestation.

According to police, authorities began investigating Howey on April 12 after receiving information from an adult witness alleging that Howey had engaged in criminal misconduct with a female student.

Howey was immediately put on administrative leave, authorities said.

Investigators interviewed a number of students at the elementary school and learned of additional allegations of misconduct.

A warrant was served Wednesday at Howey's home in Alameda and he was arrested without incident.

Howey has no criminal history or prior arrests, police said.

According to New Haven Unified School District Chief Personnel Officer Derek McNamara, Howey is a 15-year veteran of the local school district and has taught various grade levels at both elementary and middle schools. Records show that he taught kindergarten in 2009.

Though he could not comment on the investigation, McNamara told Patch that Howey “has been a standout employee” with no previous accusations or violations.

According to past district releases, Howey led fundraising efforts in 2011 to provide relief to victims of the earthquake and nuclear crisis in Japan. In 2008, he served as New Haven’s “energy manager,” helping to reduce the district’s operational costs through energy-saving efforts.

Due to the nature of the allegations, support will be available for students and staff at the elementary school, according to the district.

Patch will update this report as more information becomes available.

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