Teacher Arrested for Sexually Molesting Student in Gilroy

Gilroy Police arrested Robert William Lincoln, 50, of Capitola on Tuesday morning on a bevy of sexual molestation charges after a week-long investigation, Sgt. Pedro Espinoza announced in a press release.

Lincoln was a math teacher at Rancho San Justo Middle School in Hollister when he met the victim, a Gilroy resident, in 2009. He then befriended the victim's family and initiated a sexual relationship with her in 2011, when she was 15.

According to Espinoza, the sexual incidents occurred in Hollister and Gilroy, where the victim lives. It is not believed that sexual misconduct ever occurred on school grounds. 

Lincoln, who no longer teaches full time, but instead is a substitute, surrendered at the Gilroy Police Department at 11 a.m. Monday morning, Espinoza said. He immediately posted $200,000 bail and was released. 

His charges include lewd and lascivious acts with a child 14- or 15-years old with the suspect being at least 10 years older, oral copulation with a person under 16 with the suspect over 21, lewd and lascivious act with psychological harm to the victim, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor being three years younger than the perpetrator and person over 21 participating in an act of sexual penetration with another person who is under 18 years old. 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Gilroy Police Detective Rob Basuino at 408-846-0350. Parties wishing to remain anonymous may call We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 (1-800-78-CRIME). 

Gilroy Police Detectives continue to investigate the allegations with the cooperation of the Hollister Police Department and the Hollister School District. This investigation is ongoing and the public is urged to call to report any misconduct that may have gone unreported involving Robert Lincoln.