RETIRED SUMMIT MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATER DIRECTOR HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED SEXUAL CONTACT
" A 69-Year-Old Summit Resident & Retired Middle School Educator Has Been Charged With Alleged Sexual Contact Of A Former Student."
June 21, 2021 By Art Fletcher Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,
SUMMIT, NJ.- Acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Summit Police Chief Andrew Bartolotti announced Monday, June 21, 2021, a retired drama teacher and theater director at a middle school in Summit New Jersey has been arrested and charged with committing criminal offense of a sexual nature against a student while on school grounds, several years ago.
Ronald Wells, 69, is charged with Second Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child; Third Degree Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact; and Four Degree Criminal Sexual Contact.
An investigation conducted by The Summit Police Department, assisted by The Union County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit, revealed that the incident in question had taken place in 2016 in a private third floor room at The Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School, located in Summit New Jersey, according to The Special Victims Unit Supervisor and Assistant Prosecutor Caroline Lawlor, who will be representing The State.
In 2016, Wells allegedly asked the victim to join him during after school hours to model costumes for a school play and between the changing of costumes, Wells began touching the student in an inappropriate sexual manner.
Wells, a Summit resident, was arrested without incident on Friday June 18, 2021, pending a First Appearance and Detention Hearing scheduled to take place in Union County Superior Court. Assistant Prosecutor Lawlor plans to file a motion to keep Wells detained pending adjudication of case against him.
" No child should be exposed to this kind of criminal conduct in our schools, especially from a person entrusted with their education,"said Ruotolo. I am grateful that the Summit Police Department and my office were able to collaborate to bring this suspect to justice."
Chief Bartolotti added, " I understand how difficult it is for a community when something like this happens so close to home. We will continue to work with The Union County Prosecutor's Office to investigate further allegations and encourage any additional victims to please come forward."
" The Rules Of The Court Require Us To Include A Statement, Which States: The Charges Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt."
FILED UNDER JUNE 21, 2021: LAW, UNION: