Hudson Valley Math Teacher Accused Of Child Endangerment

MIDDLETOWN, NY — State police arrested a high school mathematics teacher who allegedly went to New York City to meet someone he thought was a 15-year-old girl. On July 31, Police charged Jonathan Castell, 44, of Wallkill, with attempted endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

State police became aware July 27 that Castell had traveled to New York after he had been communicating with someone he thought was a teenage girl.

The person he was communicating with via social media and texting platforms was actually part of a network of adult citizens who target child predators, police said.

Castell is a math teacher at Middletown High School.

The Middletown school district had posted a notice on its website that it was aware of allegations against a district employee and that it was working with law enforcement agencies.

The district said it “remains steadfast in holding the safety and security of our entire school community as paramount.”

A spokesman for the district told Patch Wednesday, in light of the arrest, that the matter is in the hands of the state police and the district would have no further comment.

After being arrested, Castell was issued an appearance ticket and released with instructions to appear in the Town of Wallkill Court Aug. 2

State police were assisted by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at SP Middletown at 845-344-5300.

Get Patch’s daily newsletters and news alerts right in your inbox.
Find and “Like” Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.

Image via Shutterstock.