NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The dean of a Brooklyn school was arrested on Thursday after he allegedly put a 13-year-old student in a chokehold for refusing to put on his school uniform.
Elvin Ventura, 53, is charged with strangulation, criminal obstruction of breathing, assault harassment and endangering the welfare of a child, police said.
He was arrested at about 3:45 p.m. on Thursday after the assault at M.S. 821, known as Sunset Park Prep, was reported to school administrators. The school is located on Fourth Avenue near 40th Street in Sunset Park.
The alleged assault was over an argument about wearing a uniform, and took place in the cafeteria in front of other children, like 14-year-old Osiah Agora.
“When our dean had the child in the chokehold, everyone stood up to try to get closer to it to see what was happening,” he told 1010 WINS.
According to Agora, the other students had just been called inside when the assault occurred, but were quickly let back outside. His grandfather, Miguel, said that he sees Ventura standing outside every day, and was shocked.
“He could have killed him. That’s really, really, really crazy,” he said. “I mean, I would go crazy if they would touch him.”
Ventura was arraigned in Kings Criminal Court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to all charges, court records show. He was released on his own recognizance and is expected back in court on July 8.
“This alleged behavior is absolutely unacceptable,” NYC Department of Education spokesperson Jenna Lyle told 1010 WINS. “This employee has been reassigned away from students pending the outcome of the arrest, and if convicted, we will pursue termination.”