Middlebury Man, Newtown High Janitor Charged With Sexual Assault

Police arrested 39-year-old Newtown High School janitor James Young at about 2:15 p.m. Wednesday at his Middlebury home, charging him with two counts of second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a child.

The charges stem from an alleged three-year dating relationship between Young and a former Newtown High School student, said Middlebury police, who made the arrest.

The victim allegedly approached police recently and reported the relationship to Newtown Police Youth Officer Gladys Pisani, who then got in touch with Middlebury police, officials said.

Pisani and Middlebury police officer Ronald W. Pruchnicki worked on the case, spending a lot of time corroborating the evidence, Middlebury police Lt. Richard A. Wildman said.

A state Superior Court judge in Waterbury issued a warrant for Young's arrest at his home at 452 Benson Road on Wednesday. He was taken into custody and held on $10,000 bond. He is to appear in Waterbury court for arraignment on April 28.

The relationship allegedly began when the victim was still a student at Newtown High School, although she is no longer a student there, officials said.

Newtown Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson said that she was informed of the investigation but had not been aware that the warrant had been issued. She said that after learning of the investigation, she placed Young, whom she called a "good worker," on paid administrative leave.

Robinson said now that charges have been lodged, the district will likely move to dismiss the janitor.

"We have zero tolerance for this," Robinson said. "I certainly can't have him back at the high school."

Young and the victim allegedly met each other outside of school grounds, Robinson said.

"He did not meet the girl at the high school," Robinson said. "This did not happen at the school. This happened outside of the school."

Editor's note: This article has been updated with additional information.