A Las Vegas charter school community has been jolted after an assistant principal was arrested Monday on a slate of child-abuse-related charges, according to local police. Authorities identified the suspect as 42-year-old Pernell Graham. Detectives say the case has triggered an active investigation and that they are now looking for any additional possible victims tied to his work with young people.
Charges police say he faces
According to FOX5, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department says Graham is facing multiple felony counts. Those include six counts of sexual assault with a child under 16, one count of sexual assault, a first-degree kidnapping charge, child abuse or neglect with substantial bodily or mental harm, and two counts alleging a school employee engaged in a sexual act with a pupil. Police did not publicly identify the charter school in their initial statement, and investigators have not released further details about when or where the alleged crimes occurred.
Police appeal and how to report
"Detectives believe there may have been additional victims," police told reporters, and they are urging anyone with information to speak up. As reported by FOX5, anyone who believes they may have been a victim, or who has information about the case, is asked to contact the Sexual Assault Detail at 702-828-3421. Those who want to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or visit crimestoppersofnv.com. Investigators say these tips are critical both for identifying any additional victims and for building out the evidence in the case.
Local context
Cases involving school employees and alleged abuse have drawn intense scrutiny in Nevada in recent years, with local media documenting a series of arrests and investigations touching teachers and staff. The Las Vegas Review-Journal has reported on several such incidents, highlighting how even a single allegation can trigger both criminal investigations and internal administrative reviews. Those prior cases help explain why detectives in the current investigation are heavily emphasizing tips, witness accounts, and any corroborating information from the public.
What’s next
The case now moves through the investigative and prosecutorial pipeline, with formal charging documents, arraignment dates, and other court filings expected to be posted by Clark County officials once they are ready. For now, detectives say they are still working to determine the full scope of the alleged abuse and will release additional information only after it is verified through interviews and evidence review. As with all criminal cases at this stage, those named in police reports are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
