LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Jefferson County Public Schools teacher has been arrested after police say he sexually groped four men in the Buckner area while "attempting to appear female."
According to court documents, a warrant was issued for 57-year-old Michael Mascardo's arrest last week and he was arrested on Sunday. He's charged with four misdemeanor counts of third-degree sexual abuse.
"It's not a typical run that we have encountered too frequently out here. We had heard that there was someone out there and we had heard the complaints but nobody had come forward," said Det. Sgt. Jared Ellison with the Oldham County Police Department.
Ellison says an official investigation was started after a victim came forward to report an assault that occurred on Dec. 9, 2022. The man told police it happened while he was in his car in the parking lot of the Circle K at 2900 Ballardsville Road, near Kentucky Route 393.
Police say Mascardo approached the man, pulled out a map and asked for directions. As the victim was trying to give him directions, Mascardo allegedly reached into the car and groped him sexually.
The victim "refused the defendant's advances," according to the arrest warrant, and Mascardo left the area.
Along with the Centerfield Circle K, Mascardo is accused of groping three other men at a Thorton's, Subway and warehouse in Buckner, KY.
Police say they spoke with three more male victims from the Buckner area, who said Mascardo also approached them while they were in their cars, pulled out a map, asked for directions and groped them.
"He would leave the scene after, if anyone did not respond in the way he wanted," said Ellison. "There were never any physical altercations that we recorded."
Mascardo was eventually identified as a suspect when a victim provided officers with a license plate, according to court documents. He was eventually confronted about the allegations.
Ellison says police went to Mascardo's home where he admitted to the acts, claiming it was a method of "flirting" with the victims. Police say Mascardo then handed over female clothing, a wig and two maps he had used.
Mascardo was booked into the Oldham County Detention Center, but has since been released.
A spokeswoman for JCPS confirms that Mascardo is still employed but has since been reassigned and no longer has contact with students.
According to the Minor Daniels Academy website, the 57-year-old is still listed under 'High School Staff' as a math teacher.
On Tuesday, the following letter was sent home to parents of students at the school:
January 10, 2023
Dear Minor Daniels Families,
We always want to keep you informed, to the best of our ability, about what’s going on with your child’s education at Minor Daniels Academy.
You may have seen or heard local media stories about allegations against one of our staff members. The allegations do not involve any Minor Daniels students. JCPS is following its normal procedures for allegations related to staff. The staff member has been reassigned and does not have contact with students.
We cannot release any more details.
It is important for you to know that the safety and wellbeing of students is our top priority at Minor Daniels Academy. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 485-8316. We appreciate your support of our school and students.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Bard, Principal
Minor Daniels Academy
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