D.A. Alleges Molestation by Schoolteacher : Crime: Instructor at Fullerton high school is charged with eight felony counts involving girl, 15.

A Sunny Hills High School science teacher was charged Tuesday with sexual molestation and harassment of five female students, a spokesman for the Orange County district attorney’s office said.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Jo Escobar filed the charges against George Melvin Fairchild, 52, of Placentia, a teacher for 28 years who has been head coach of boys’ basketball at La Habra High School and assistant coach at Sunny Hills, both in the Fullerton Joint Union School District.

Escobar said the eight felony counts stem from an allegation that Fairchild engaged in lewd acts with a 15-year-old girl. Seven misdemeanor counts were also filed involving four other girls, Escobar said. She did not elaborate.

An arrest warrant was issued for Fairchild, who is vacationing in the Caribbean and is expected to return to Orange County next week, said Fullerton Police Lt. Jeff Roop.

Fairchild obtained an attorney after he was made aware of the police investigation, Roop said, but has not yet been interviewed by police.

“This isn’t news to him,” Roop said.

The investigation began in May after a former student complained to police that she was molested by Fairchild in September, 1992, Roop said, and eventually sought psychological counseling as a result.

“She came in and told us what happened,” Roop said. “It was over a period of time. These aren’t forcible things. They may be unwelcomed. More of an improper taking advantage.”

It was not immediately clear if she is the alleged victim of the felony counts.

Roop said the police identified the other alleged victims through the investigation. All of the girls were students of Fairchild, but none of the alleged events occurred during regular classes, Roop said.

The incidents allegedly occurred on campus between September, 1992, and March, 1993, the department said. The other charges involve “groping and touching” or using “sexually explicit language” with the students, Roop said.

“This is one-on-one conversations and behavior. It’s kind of an opportunist kind of thing,” Roop said.

Escobar said the district attorney’s office does not consider Fairchild a flight risk, and that he will be arraigned when he returns this month. She said arrest warrants are usual procedure for people who are not in custody and who have been charged with felonies.

Gregory Bice, acting superintendent for the Fullerton Joint Union High School District, said Fairchild will be placed on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the charges.

“We’re very interested in knowing what the outcome of the police investigation is,” he said.

Bice said Fairchild has taught math and life sciences at the school for six years. He also helps coach the football team.