Seattle teacher charged for having alleged sexual relationship with teen student; more victims possible

SEATTLE - A teacher at Franklin High School has been charged for allegedly having sex with a teenage student several times in the span of 15 days, according to court documents. 

32-year-old Pawares Pathompornvivat was arrested on Feb. 17 after a 16-year-old girl came forward, alleging they had a sexual relationship. 

The student told investigators that their "intimate relationship" began on Feb. 2. 

"The defendant abused his position of trust and authority as a Seattle Public School high school teacher by having sexual intercourse on multiple occasions with a student in various places around the city of Seattle including the student’s home," according to court documents. 

According to court documents, the student said there were over 3,000 text message exchanges between the two of them. 

Prosecutors say that when Pathompornvivat learned the teen victim reported the sexual abuse, he wanted her to call him to "get our stories straight." 

He also told her that he had previously had a sexual relationship with another student, according to court docs. Investigators are still looking to see if there are other victims. 

According to court documents, Pathompornvivat bought the student victim several sex toys. 

Pathompornvivat was charged with first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor and first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor. 

A judge set bail at $100,000. 

"We rush-filed charges today because of the seriousness of the allegations," said Casey McNerthney, a spokesperson with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. "We believe we have the evidence to prove these charges beyond a reasonable doubt."

According to the Franklin High School's staff directory, Pathompornvivat taught science at the school. His school photo was removed from the directory, but his name and email were still listed as of Feb. 21. 

In a letter to parents, principal Dr. Joseph Williams III wrote:

"Last week, we received a report that a Franklin employee engaged in inappropriate contact with a student.

Our school and the district officials quickly moved to address the situation as soon as the report was received. The district has placed the employee on leave. They have been restricted from having contact with students, families, and staff. They have been restricted from entering any SPS school buildings or attending school-related events.

SPS does not tolerate any abuse of authority or sexual assault toward students.

We have initiated a full internal investigation into this allegation through the district’s Human Resources Department and Office of Student Civil Rights. As part of our process, we have informed and will collaborate with the Seattle Police Department.

Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our students and community.

Any SPS student or staff member who has been sexually harassed or sexually assaulted can report the incident(s) to any school staff member or the district’s Title IX coordinator by contacting 206-252-0367 or title.ix@seattleschools.org."

Franklin High School is located in the Mount Baker neighborhood. There were 1,177 students enrolled at the school for the 2022-23 school year.

Pathompornvivat is due back in court on March 9. 

"If there are other people that have information on this case...contact Seattle Police and they can refer the information to us," said McNerthney.