High School Security Guard Facing Indecent Assault, Other Charges

WILKINSBURG (KDKA) -- A Wilkinsburg High School security guard is facing a list of charges following his arrest in connection with an alleged inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old girl.

According to investigators, 26-year-old Michael Tolbert of Pittsburgh is facing charges of corruption of minors, indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor and other charges.

Investigators say Tolbert had been working as a security guard at Wilkinsburg High School.

Police say the girl's mother brought her to the Wilkinsburg Police Station last week after the teen "came home late from school on several occasions" and finding an "unknown phone number on her daughter's cell phone."

Police say the inappropriate contact between the student and Tolbert began last spring at the Wilkinsburg Middle School.

According to the affidavit, the two exchanged more than 1,000 text messages and Facebook posts.

Police say he is also accused of kissing the girl "at various times during school hours while in the school building" and inappropriate touching after picking her up in his car.

It ended last week when the girl confessed to her mother that she had had sexual relations with Tolbert just short of intercourse.

Wilkinsburg School District Superintendent Archie Perrin, Jr. says the district is shocked.

"It's an unfortunate incident and we are aggrieved by the report, and we are just learning as many other people are the specifics of it," said Perrin.

Tolbert, who was arrested last week, faced a preliminary hearing Thursday morning and is free on bond; but according to the affidavit, he admitted to police he kissed and fondled the student.

Perrin says the district is cooperating with the investigation and will do everything to ensure the safety of all students.

"We assure them their children are safe and we're doing everything we possibly can to deal with any situation that may occur," Perrin added.

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