Alameda Man Charged with Molesting Eight Female Students

By Bay City News Service

A Union City elementary school teacher who lives in Alameda was scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon, Friday, on eight felony charges alleging that he molested eight different female students.

Michael William Howry, a 47-year-old teacher at Alvarado Elementary School, was arrested at his home in Alameda on Wednesday without incident and is being held at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin in lieu of $1.5 million bail. [Ed's note: His last name is listed as "Howey" on New Haven Unified School District records, but the Alameda County District Attorney's office has confirmed his last name as "Howry."]

Union City police said they arrested Howry after an investigation that began last month when an adult witness at Alvarado Elementary School reported that Howry had engaged in criminal acts with a female student.

Howry was immediately placed on administrative leave while police launched an investigation.

During the investigation, a number of students were interviewed, resulting in additional allegations of the teacher's misconduct, police said.

The teacher has no prior arrests or criminal history, according to police.

Police said administrators from the New Haven School District have fully cooperated with the investigation to ensure the safety of their students.

According to New Haven Unified School District Chief Personnel Officer Derek McNamara, Howey is a 15-year veteran of the local school district and has taught various grade levels at both elementary and middle schools. Records show that he taught kindergarten in 2009.

Though he could not comment on the investigation, McNamara told Patch that Howey “has been a standout employee” with no previous accusations or violations.

According to past district releases, Howey led fundraising efforts in 2011 to provide relief to victims of the earthquake and nuclear crisis in Japan. In 2008, he served as New Haven’s “energy manager,” helping to reduce the district’s operational costs through energy-saving efforts.

Due to the nature of the allegations, support will be available for students and staff at the elementary school, according to the district.

The Alameda County District Attorney's Office charged Howry today with three counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child under the age of 14 and five counts of child molestation.

Howry was scheduled to be arraigned at 2 p.m. at the Fremont Hall of Justice.

Police said their investigation into allegations against Howry is ongoing. Anyone with information about the case can call Cmdr. Ben Horner at (510) 675-5225. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call the police tip line at (510) 675-5207 or email information to tips@unioncity.org.

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Union City Patch contributed to this report.