Westchester Assistant Principal Faces Sex Assault Charge
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- An assistant principal of a Westchester County elementary school has been accused of engaging in criminal sex acts with a 14-year-old student in his office over several months last year.
Jose Martinez, 38, was arrested at his Brentwood, Long Island home Thursday night and charged with criminal sexual act in the second degree.
Martinez was the administrative dean of Isaac Young Middle School in New Rochelle. A seven-year veteran of the district, he was recently promoted to assistant principal of Jefferson Elementary School.
"We got the robo-call last week that he resigned for personal reasons. That's all they said," Jefferson Elementary parent Teresa Fogal told CBS 2's Lou Young, adding when asked if she felt the district knew more than it led on, "Yes."
WCBS 880's Catherine Cioffi talks with New Rochelle Police Captain Joseph Schaller
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Martinez's resignation without explanation on March 11, along with his subsequent disappearance, caught the authorities' attention.
"We believe the mother of the student might've had some conversations with Mr. Martinez prior to his resignation," said Captain Joseph Schaller of the New Rochelle Police Department.
1010 WINS' Al Jones with shocked parents and students
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"We don't know that he necessarily knew something was coming, but he may have. She alerted us or advised us that she thought something had gone on between her son and Mr. Martinez, but she didn't know the nature of what had gone on," Schaller said.
"There was some indication he was being slightly evasive to being located," said New Rochelle Police Lt. Chris Hearle. "He was a little shocked initially."
The school district issued a statement saying Martinez was a well-thought of administrator and passed a criminal background check before they hired him.
There were no other complaints pending.
The incident has the shaken the confidence of parents at both schools, reports CBS 2's Young.
"That concerned me some because I thought he was such a bad dean, why should he get a promotion?" middle school parent Sabrina Drayton said.
"It's scary. It's really scary that we're supposed to pay taxes and don't feel like they're safe," parent Josie Dowd said.
Bail was set for Martinez at $500,000. His sister said he will be exonerated.
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