LI Teacher Charged With Rape Had Sexual Relationship With Student: PD

RIVERHEAD, NY — A Deer Park teacher was arrested Tuesday after engaging in a sexual relationship with a student in Riverhead, police said.

According to Suffolk County Police, William Sperl, 60, was arrested at Eastern Suffolk BOCES in Bellport at 12:05 p.m.

Sperl, currently an audio production teacher for the Riverhead campus of Eastern Suffolk BOCES, engaged in a sexual relationship with a female student from the Riverhead location in 2020 while she was a minor, police said.

Police said they would not be releasing the age of the girl or how long the sexual relationship went on.

Sperl was arrested and charged with four counts of third-degree rape and seven counts of criminal third-degree criminal sex act, all felonies, police said.

Sperl was held overnight at the Third Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Wednesday, police said.

David Wicks, district superintendent of Eastern Suffolk BOCES, issued a statement Wednesday: "Eastern Suffolk BOCES is aware that one of its employees was arrested by the Suffolk County Police Department yesterday during the staff member's attendance at an on-campus professional development activity."

No students were on the campus grounds at the time, Wicks said.

"According to Suffolk County Police, the arrest was made in connection with allegations of the staff member engaging in a sexual relationship with a now-former BOCES student in 2020. This is an ongoing police matter. Eastern Suffolk BOCES is fully cooperating with the Suffolk County Police Department as it conducts its investigation, Wicks said.

He added: "Eastern Suffolk BOCES has taken immediate measures to mitigate any disruption or distraction at the start of the school year next week. Among other things, the teacher will be placed on home assignment and all classes will move forward with qualified BOCES instructors to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted start of the school year for all students."

Eastern Suffolk BOCES’ crisis team is available to support our students, faculty, staff and community with any concerns, Wicks said.

"The safety of our students, faculty, staff and community is Eastern Suffolk BOCES' foremost priority. Eastern Suffolk BOCES will provide its community with an update as more details that can be shared become available," Wicks said.

The investigation is ongoing. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the case to contact the Special Victims Section at 631-852-6361.