FREEHOLD – A former Long Branch elementary school teacher has been charged with sexually assaulting a 10-year-old student, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Gustavo Barrientos, 53, of Tinton Falls, is charged with first degree Aggravated Sexual Assault and second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Through the investigation, law enforcement learned that while employed as an elementary school teacher in the Long Branch School District, on multiple occasions, Barrientos would show a 10 year old female student pornography and sexually assault her.

The investigation was the product of a joint investigation by members of the Long Branch Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Bureau.

Barrientos was taken into custody on February 14, and transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold Township pending a detention hearing.

If convicted, the defendant is facing up to life imprisonment on the aggravated sexual assault charge and up to 10 years imprisonment on the Endangering the Welfare of a Child charge. In addition, he would be subject to Parole Supervision for Life and required to register under Megan’s Law.