Brewster HS Band, ROTC Leader Charged With Rape Of Student

UPDATE: Brewster schools are on lockout Tuesday in anticipation of media activity at the district.

BREWSTER, NY — The Naval Science instructor at Brewster High School, who was also the marching band advisor, was arrested Monday on felony rape charges in connection with an alleged sexual relationship with a student. The investigation began Oct. 12 when a high school staff member received information about Christopher L. Vlangas and a 16-year-old girl.

The rape charges are based upon the facts that the defendant is over the age of 21 and the student involved is under 17 years of age, police said. Under the law, a person under 17 years old is deemed incapable of giving lawful consent in such cases.

Vlangas, 41, lives at 4 Upland Pastures Road in Sherman, Connecticut.

The sexual activity is alleged to have occurred in Southeast and in Patterson, according to the Putnam Sheriff's Office. He is charged in Southeast with one count of criminal sexual act and one count of rape in the third degree. He is charged in Patterson with two counts of rape in the third degree.

At the time of the alleged affair, Vlangas was a Naval Science Instructor in the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps. (NJROTC) Program at Brewster High School. According to social media content posted on the internet, he is a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, police said.

Vlangas did not return to the school campus after the investigation began, the Sheriff's Office said.

School officials told the school community in a letter Oct. 19. Brewster High School counselors have been meeting regularly with students.

Sheriff’s investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Vlangas and he was arrested Monday in Danbury, Connecticut by officers of the Danbury Police Department. Vlangas was being held Monday evening in Connecticut as a fugitive from justice, to await his expected extradition to New York.

Investigators obtained judicial search warrants and executed searches of Vlangas’ office at the school, his Connecticut home and his vehicle. The Sheriff's Office did not disclose whether any evidence was found in those searches.

Sheriff’s investigators Corinne Pitt and Paul Piazza led the criminal investigation, with the assistance of the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office, the Connecticut State Attorney’s Office and the Connecticut State Police. The Sheriff’s Office coordinated with the Danbury Police Department to secure the defendant’s apprehension in that city.

A telephone hotline has been established at the Sheriff’s Office and anyone with information relevant to the case is asked to call (845) 808-4377. Calls will be kept confidential.

SEE:

• 'Improper' Brewster High School Student-Staffer Relationship Under Investigation
  
• Brewster Schools On Lockout Tuesday