LI Teacher Charged With Raping Student To Return To Court In June: DA

BABYLON, NY — A Babylon teacher who was charged with raping a 15-year-old girl to return to court on June 6, the Office of Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney confirmed with Patch on Tuesday.

Timothy Harrison, 46, of Oak Beach, was indicted on March 23 in court in Riverhead and is charged with two counts of third-degree rape and one count of third-degree criminal sexual act, police said. He was adjourned by Judge Karen Wilutis, and has plead not guilty.

Harrison, a sports coach and special education teacher, was arrested and charged on March 3 for raping a 15-year old student in 2013, police said. He was 38 at the time.

Police said Harrison's sexual contact with the student happened off school grounds. However, the accuser also said Harrison engaged in inappropriate conduct on school property, police added.

His indictment came months after Attorney General Letitia James launched an investigation into the district. Since October, numerous alumni have accused teachers of sexual and emotional abuse, some claims dating back to the 1980s.

"His arrest was the result of a courageous act by a young Babylon school district alumnus," said Babylon Board of Education President Carol Dell’Erba at a March meeting. "We like all of you have been horrified by the allegations standing back decades that have been brought forth by our female alumni, claiming sexual misconduct by teachers and coaches in this district."

The district has declined to comment further on the Harrison case.

Kevin J. Keating, who is representing Harrison, has declined to comment for Patch.