College Of San Mateo Employee Placed On Leave After Arrest

SAN MATEO, CA — The director of marketing and community relations at the College of San Mateo was arrested on suspicion of having sex with minors, according to the San Jose Police Department.

Richard Rojo, 52, is accused of engaging in inappropriate sexual acts with two underage females who were 14 and 15 years old at the time, police said. According to a news release on Monday, Rojo, a Stockton resident, met one of the victims on social media last November and then engaged in sexual activity with the victim and another juvenile in San Jose.

In a statement to Patch Monday afternoon, Perla A. Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the San Mateo County Community College District, said Rojo has been placed on administrative leave without pay, and the district will be cooperating with the investigation.

"The San Mateo County Community College District just learned of the charges against Richard Rojo this morning and is disturbed and shocked by this alleged conduct," Rodriguez said.

The San Jose Police Department’s Sexual Assault Investigations Unit received information about Rojo in December, and an arrest warrant was issued, according to police. Rojo turned himself in and posted bail. He is due back in court on June 15.

Police said they are seeking additional victims who may have had contact with Rojo.