McKinley teacher aide charged with sex assault on student

Police have charged a 30-year-old teacher's assistant at McKinley High School with sexually assaulting a 17-year-old female special education student in a classroom last week.

Gregory Orlando Pili Keau, a special education assistant, was charged Monday with two counts each of second-degree sexual assault and fourth-degree sexual assault, Honolulu police spokesman Maj. Frank Fujii said yesterday.

Keau has two misdemeanor convictions, including third-degree assault and driving without a license, criminal records show. His bail was set at $75,000.

A police affidavit says the special education student was cleaning a classroom about 10:30 a.m. Friday when Keau ordered her to remove her pants and rubbed himself on the girl's buttocks. He ordered her to perform oral sex on him, and the student did so because she was afraid of Keau, according to court documents.

A special education skills trainer entered the classroom, interrupting the assault, and Keau told the skills trainer not to tell anyone because "he would go down and lose his job," court documents say. Police were called but it is not clear who made the call.

The girl later told police that Keau first sexually assaulted her when she was 16.

Keau turned himself in at police headquarters Sunday night.

McKinley High Principal Peter Chun said Keau, who has worked at the school for several years with no prior complaints, was put on unpaid leave Monday.

"We are assuring all of our parents that we take this seriously and that we are committed to a safe and secure campus," he said.