By Jorge Casuso

February 5, 2025 -- A Santa Monica High School science teacher was arrested Wednesday for allegedly having an "inappropriate relationship" with a 16-year-old female student.

Ingo Horst Gaida, 58, of Los Angeles, was arrested after "an immediate and thorough investigation" by Santa Monica police detectives who received a report of the allegations from School District officials.

"Detectives learned the science teacher and student were engaged in inappropriate activities

since the end of 2024," police officials said in a press release.

"The incidents took place in multiple locations throughout Los Angeles County," officials said.

On Wednesday, SMPD Detectives assisted by uniformed and undercover officers served Gaida -- who District officials said has been a teacher at Samohi for 32 years -- with arrest and search warrants.

Gaida was taken into custody and booked for annoying or molesting a child under 18 and contributing to the delinquency of minor, both misdemeanors.

The case will be filed with the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office, police officials said.

Gaida, who has no prior criminal history, "was released from SMPD custody with a citation and promise to appear in court," officials said.

District officials said they reported their concerns about the alleged inappropriate conduct to the SMPD and Department of Child and Family Services for an investigation "as soon as this was brought to the attention of administration.

"SMMUSD takes allegations of this nature seriously and is fully cooperating with law enforcement on this investigation," said Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton.

"The teacher was immediately placed on administrative leave for the alleged misconduct while under investigation," Shelton said in a statement released after the arrest.

"Due to the legal constraints, which include the privacy protections provided our students and confidential personnel matters, the details of this investigation and the minor involved cannot be disclosed."

Shelton reassured the District's "educational partners" that "the school and district have and will continue to take every precaution to ensure the safety of students and staff at our schools.

"Every parent deserves to know that their children are safe and treated with the utmost concern when they are at our schools," Shelton wrote. "This is the foundational principle for providing a good public education.

"We hold this value at the highest possible level and will continue our work to uphold this value."

According to the District, Gaida has been as a science teacher at Samohi since September 1993.

Anyone with more information or who has been the victim of abuse by the teacher should call Officer Destiny King at (310) 458-6679, Sgt. David Haro at (310) 458-8952, or the Watch Commander desk 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427