RARITAN BOROUGH, NJ (Somerset County) – A former high school teacher has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor in Raritan Borough, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.
The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit were notified on Oct. 16 by the Bridgewater Police Department of an anonymous email alleging an inappropriate relationship between a teacher and a former student, McDonald said.
On Oct. 26, the former student victim, now an adult, was identified and interviewed by detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit and the Raritan Borough Police Department.
The victim reported engaging in a relationship with former teacher, who was identified as Lydia Pinto, 38, of Newton, PA. The victim further reported that the relationship turned sexual when the victim was between the ages of 14 to 15 and continued until the victim’s senior year of high school, McDonald said.
As a result of the investigation, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, Pinto was taken into custody without incident in Franklin Township. She was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault and two counts of second-degree sexual assault, McDonald said.
Pinto was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing, McDonald said.
Anyone with information relating to the sexual assault to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Raritan Borough Police Department at 908-725-6200 or via the STOPit app.
The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
