Richmond teacher facing multiple charges in connection with sexual activities involving minors

Richmond, California – Multiple counts of child molestation have been filed against a former Richmond school teacher.

On April 8, 2022, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed a total of 29 counts against Anessa Paige Gower in Contra Costa County Superior Court.

During her career as a biology instructor at Making Waves Academy in Richmond in the years 2021-2022, Gower is suspected of engaging in a series of sexual activities with students.

When Gower was arrested at Sacramento International Airport on April 6, 2022, she was on her way back to California after a trip to Hawaii. Richmond Police, in cooperation with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, made the arrest. She is now being held in custody in Richmond.

The identities of the children involved in this case were not revealed since they are under the legal age.

Investigators obtained testimony from victims and witnesses regarding a number of incidents, including sex activities with children, improper touching, and the sharing of sexually explicit pictures on social media sites.