Newly released findings from the Special Commissioner of Investigation show a former John Adams High School teacher in Ozone Park engaged in sexual contact with a student when she was 16 and 17, and maintained sexually explicit communication with her while she was still a minor. Investigators say the conduct was substantiated and referred to state education authorities. The teacher is no longer employed by the New York City Department of Education.
SCI lays out investigators' conclusions
A report published by the Special Commissioner of Investigation states that investigators concluded the teacher engaged in non‑consensual sexual intercourse with the student on multiple occasions and sustained "sexually explicit and inappropriate" communications while she was still a minor. The probe began after an allegation from the former student and, according to the report, included interviews with classmates and a review of text messages that investigators say corroborated parts of her account.
Arrest and plea history
As reported by amNewYork, the NYPD arrested the teacher in June 2023 on charges that included third‑degree rape, third‑degree criminal sexual act, endangering the welfare of a child and third‑degree sexual abuse. That coverage notes the teacher later pleaded guilty in January 2024 to a disorderly‑conduct violation and received a conditional discharge.
Disciplinary referral and DOE status
The Special Commissioner of Investigation recommended that the Department of Education terminate the individual's employment and keep a problem code in his personnel file, and referred the findings to the New York State Education Department for appropriate action. The investigative record notes that the DOE had already removed the teacher from student contact and that he is no longer employed by the city schools.
Community reaction
Special Commissioner Anastasia Coleman called the conduct "egregious, dangerous, and predatory" and said people who pose a risk to students "have no place working in a school or anywhere around children," according to amNewYork. Former students interviewed during the probe told investigators they saw signs of emotional distress and corroborated aspects of the relationship, according to the investigative records.
Background
The teacher's LinkedIn profile lists him as employed by the DOE since 1998, indicating a long tenure in city schools. Advocates say cases like this underscore ongoing concerns about how substantiated allegations are tracked across districts and whether personnel files reliably prevent rehiring or reassignment.
What happens next
The SCI referral places the matter with the state education department, which will decide whether to pursue licensing or other disciplinary steps. For now, school officials and investigators say the individual is not working in city schools while the review proceeds.
