RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — A suspended Long Island high school teacher accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old student nearly a decade ago was indicted on felony charges, including rape, on Wednesday.
Prosecutors allege Babylon High School teacher and coach Timothy Harrison started texting the student in 2013.
He is accused of bringing her to his Oak Beach home, where prosecutors allege he served alcohol to the teen and then had sex with her on two separate occasions between September and November of that year when she was 15 and he was 38 years old.
Harrison, now 46, is charged with two counts of rape in the third degree, an E felony, two counts of criminal sexual act in the third degree, an E felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges in court in Riverhead on Wednesday. He did not speak to reporters as he left the courthouse, dressed in a blue suit and red tie, holding his wife's hand.
"We've received no evidence yet, it remains simply an allegation, this is Day One and we'll see where this takes us," his attorney, Kevin Keating, said. "He is trying to remain strong, it's very difficult."
If convicted, Harrison faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison on each felony count.
“This defendant allegedly used his position as an educator and a trusted coach to take advantage of a minor. No child should be faced with the threat of being exposed to predators while inside the supposed safety of an academic institution,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney. “We are going to continue to stand with the victims of child sexual assault to vindicate their rights and ensure that anyone even thinking of committing these types of abuses in our schools consider the consequences of their actions.”
Harrison, who was previously released on $25,000 bail, is due back in court on April 26.
Other former students have recenlty come forward to say they were sexually abused and harassed by other coaches at the high school, claiming the incidents had been going on for decades, however, Harrison is the first coach to face any criminal charges.
Harrison, a father of two, was suspended from his job last November.
He was arrested on March 3 months after administrators from the Babylon Union Free School District contacted the police department regarding allegations of misconduct involving district staff.
The school district in a previous statement called the allegations "extremely disturbing," adding "Our thoughts are with the victim."
Any additional victims or witnesses are asked to call the Special Victims Section at 631-852-8791 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
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