BHS ROTC Instructor Accused of Student Affair Moved To NY Jail

BREWSTER, NY — The Brewster High School band marching advisor and ROTC instructor accused of an illicit affair with a student is now in custody of law enforcement officials in New York. Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith said Tuesday afternoon that Christopher Vlangas, who had been arrested by Danbury police Monday, appeared in a Connecticut court Tuesday morning and waived formal extradition proceedings.

Following his court appearance, Vlangas was taken into custody by Sheriff’s Office investigators in Connecticut and was transported to the Sheriff’s Office headquarters in Carmel for processing.

Vlangas was a Naval Science Instructor in the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps. (NJROTC) Program at Brewster High School. The student is 16, police said.

Brewster school officials put the district on lockout Tuesday, keeping students inside in anticipation of media activity near the buildings. They also asked students and parents not to talk to journalists and to refrain from rancor on social media.

The sexual activity is alleged to have occurred in Southeast and in Patterson, according to the Putnam Sheriff's Office. Vlangas 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.

The rape charges are based upon the facts that he 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 in Sherman, Connecticut. At the time of the alleged affair, Vlangas was a Naval Science Instructor in the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Program at Brewster High School. He was also the faculty advisor to the marching band. According to social media content posted on the internet, he is a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, police said.

He was arraigned on the charges before Town of Carmel Justice Thomas Jacobellis Tuesday afternoon. The justice sent him to the county jail in lieu of $150,000.00 cash bail or $250,000.00 bail bond.

There's a 24-hour hotline coordinated with the district and Putnam County Sheriff's Department for anyone who has information to share on the ongoing investigation. The number is 845-808-4377.

SEE ALSO:

• 'Improper' Brewster High School Student-Staffer Relationship Under Investigation
• Brewster HS Band, ROTC Leader Faces Rape Charges
• Brewster ROTC Instructor Charged With Rape; Schools On Lockout