High school music teacher charged with sexually assaulting teen student
A married music teacher has been accused of raping 16-year-old girl multiple times at a high school in New Jersey.
William Arnold, the director of theater and vocal music at Pequannock Township High School in Wayne, New Jersey, faces multiple charges after he was accused of abusing a student.
An investigation was launched by the Pequannock Police and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, based on accusations of 'inappropriate behavior' reported by another teacher, according to the New York Post.
The 53-year-old married father of three allegedly began assaulting the girl over the last year, according to the Morris County Prosecutors' office.
On September 29, Arnold was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, and second-degree counts of sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and official misconduct.
The teacher allegedly assaulted the girl from when she was aged 15 to 16, said Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, according to New Jersey 101.5.
The Pequannock Schools Superintendent, Michael Portas, said in a letter to the school community: 'Please be assured that we are taking every step possible to protect your children, our staff, and our school community. If needed, our guidance counselors are available to all our students and families.'
The district has worked with the police's investigation, and Arnold has been placed on administrative leave, according to school administrators.
William Arnold, a teacher at Pequannock Township High School in Wayne, New Jersey, faces multiple charges after he was accused of abusing a student
The 53-year-old married father of three allegedly began assaulting the girl over the last year, according to the Morris County Prosecutors' office
Arnold is currently incarcerated at the Morris County Correctional Facility, according to The New York Post.
Before his arrest, the New Jerseyan had just co-directed a musical rendition of The Wedding Singer, which included a mixed cast of adults and high school alums.
Arnold is the 18th school staff member since 2024 to be accused of sexual misconduct, according to the outlet.
The predators are a mix of teachers, coaches, and school staff who have committed various sexual crimes.
A theater teacher in Virginia was convicted of secretly recording his students and a nanny.
In 2021, Raphael Schklowsky was sentenced to four years and two months after his live-in nanny told police she found a camera in an air vent in her room, according to NBC Washington.
The district has worked with the police's investigation, and Arnold has been placed on administrative leave, according to school administrators
Arnold is currently incarcerated at the Morris County Correctional Facility
Police launched an investigation and uncovered over 30 recording devices and child pornography.
Many of the videos featured girls from Herndon High School, where Schklowsky was a teacher.
Cops found over 8,000 videos on the former teacher's devices.
After Schklowsky's release, he will register as a sex offender and is not permitted to have unsupervised contact with children aside from his own.
