A teacher in Long Island, New York, faces up to 16 years in prison after he was indicted on charges related to the rape of a former student.
NBC New York reports Timothy Harrison, 46, a special education teacher and lacrosse coach at Babylon High School, was indicted on Wednesday on five sexual assault charges: one for endangering the welfare of a child, and two counts each of third-degree rape and third-degree criminal sexual act, both of which are felonies.
Prosecutors allege Harrison brought a student to his home, gave her alcohol, and engaged in sexual intercourse on multiple occassions in October and November of 2013. The former student was 15 years old at the time.
“No child should be faced with the threat of being exposed to predators while inside the supposed safety of an academic institution,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said.
Harrison, who was accompanied by his wife in court this week, has pleaded not guilty to both counts of rape and both counts of criminal sex act. He is still employed by the school district, but remains suspended with pay.
“We’ve received no evidence yet. It remains simply an allegation. This is day one and we’ll see where this takes us,” Harrison’s attorney Kevin Keating told CBS News. “He’s been in the district forever. He is highly regarded. I think the fact that the courtroom was filled with supporters speaks volumes about how he is perceived in the community.”
Harrison has been released from jail on a $25,000 bond. He is scheduled to be back in court on April 26.
