Ramapo Rabbi Gets Plea Deal in Child Sex Abuse Case

Gabriel Bodenheimer, the 72-year-old rabbi and teacher who was accused of sexually abusing a student has pled guilty to a reduced charge:

• One count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class “A” Misdemeanor

He had initially been charged with:

• Three counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, class “B” Felonies

• One count of Sex Abuse in the First Degree, a class “D” Felony

Bodenheimer, of 3 Dunhill Lane, Monsey, was principal of Bais Mikroh, a boy’s yeshiva in Monsey, for 25 years.

He was accused of subjecting a student to sexual abuse starting when the boy was 7. According to the charges, the series of allegedly sexual assaults was performed in his office at the school between August 1, 2009 and July 31, 2010.

SEE: Monsey Rabbi & Principal Arraigned on Child Sex

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced that as part of the plea conditions, Bodenheimer will be sentenced to three years probation on Oct. 27. The terms of his probation will include sex offender conditions. Additionally, a permanent order of protection in favor of the child was issued by the Court prohibiting any contact by the defendant.

Bodenheimer will also be required to resign all positions associated with any schools he is currently affiliated with. He is also prohibited from entering any school while on probation.

“The victim’s parents recently contacted the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office and requested that we reconsider the current plea offer in this matter,” Zugibe said in a prepared statement. “This request was made in an effort to spare the boy the pain of testifying publicly about this traumatic experience and to allow him to advance in the therapy he is undergoing. Based upon this request, I agreed to accept this plea of guilty. The victim’s family has indicated that they are also satisfied that, while the defendant is not admitting guilt to the crimes he was indicted for, he is admitting guilt to endangering the welfare of their son. I have also spoken with the victim in this matter and am satisfied that this is what he wishes as well.”

Executive Assistant District Attorney Richard Kennison Moran prosecuted the case.