Former Crossing Guard Who is Facing Sexual Assault Charges Passed a Background Check, Police Said.

The former school crossing guard arrested on sexual assault-related charges passed the rigorous screening process to get the job, a police lieutenant said on Friday.

Lt. William Meier said that Russell Pike was fingerprinted and passed a rigorous background check before he served as a crossing guard from October of last year through the end of the school year.

He was not rehired for this school year, Meier said.

Pike was arrested on Thursday.

Pike, 74, of 134 Vernon Ave., Apt. B, has been charged with illegal sexual contact with a victim younger than 16, fourth-degree sexual assault, and first-degree sexual assault of a minor, according to an arrest report.

Vernon police said detectives began investigating Pike in August after two women reported that Pike had sexually abused them as young children. One of the woman said he abused her from age 3 through 9, according to an arrest report.

Police were only able to secure one warrant for Pike because the statute of limitations had expired on one of the women, according to an arrest report.

Police said several other possible victims have been identified and have been interviewed by detectives, so several other charges are possible against Pike.

Pike was arrested at his home at 1 p.m. on Thursday without incident, police said. He is a former crossing guard in town, according to court records and municipal officials. He worked for about a year until this summer, police said.

He was held overnight on a $75,000 bond. He appeared in Superior Court in Rockville on Friday and his case was continued until Oct. 28, court records indicate.

He remained in custody after his appearance on a $75,000 cash bond, according to court records.

Meier did not deny the investigation could have had something to do with Pike not being re-hired.

He said several unsubstantiated claims against Pike had come up in the past.

The Police Department hires crossing guards.

Meier said none of the alleged victims was assaulted while Pike was employed as a crossing guard, Meier said.