Judge Calls Sexual Assault Charges Against Middlebury Man "Very Serious Matter"

According to NBC Connecticut, after reading the arrest warrant for a Wallingford teacher charged with sexually assaulting a minor, the judge said the case is a "very serious matter."

Mario Fusco, 35, of Middlebury, told police that he had an ongoing relationship with the victim that began when he was 29 and she was 14, according to the warrant.

At the time, he was convinced that he was helping the minor and teaching her to feel good about herself but after going to therapy he now realizes that he "was misguided," the warrant states. 

'I am sorry for what I did to her, it is a huge regret and I wish I could take it back. This something that has always been hanging over my head," he said, according to the warrant.

He was in court on Wednesday, the day after he turned himself in to police on second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to, or impairing the morals of a child charges, according to NBC Connecticut.

The person was not Fusco's student, according to court papers. He was ordered on Wednesday to have no contact with the minor.

Fusco was in court with his mother. He said outside court that he would never do "anything to hurt anyone," that the incident happened several years ago and he did not have in intimate relationship with the victim.  

The case was continued to June 8.

Supt. Dr. Salvatore Menzo said said on Tuesday that Fusco, who is a teacher at Wallingford's Alternative High School, would not be in the school on Wednesday.

Menzo would not discuss Fusco's future with the school district until speaking with Fusco first. 

Fusco said he just wants to "do what's right and get through it for me and my family" and did not comment further on the allegations.