Former Jefferson School Administrator Faces Child Abuse Charge

A former assistant principal of Jefferson Elementary School was arrested Thursday on charges of sexually abusing a child.

Jose Martinez, 38, who abruptly resigned his position at Jefferson March 11, was taken into custody at his home in Brentwood, NY, said New Rochelle Police Deputy Commissioner Anthony Murphy.

"On Wednesday, March 23rd, we received a formal complaint that a former New Rochelle School District administrator was having a relationship with a 14-year-old," Murphy said.

He said Martinez is a former administrative dean at Isaac E. Young Middle School.

Martinez "was alleged to have engaged in an ongoing course of manual and oral sex with a student for a period of time extending from March or April 2010 through June of 2010," Murphy said.

Capt. Joseph Schaller said Martinez was charged with second-degree criminal sexual act, an D felony.

He said the student is a boy who is now 15 and that the alleged abuse occurred after school hours. Murphy said the alleged conduct occurred in Martinez's office.

Schaller said there was no force involved.

"The school district employee—Mr. Martinez—seemed to have taken advantage of his position as a school officer," he said.

School Superintendent Richard Organisciak issued a statement on the matter and said the district was fully cooperating with the police department as it continues its investigation.

"We are deeply concerned about the allegations that have been made against Assistant Principal Jose Martinez," Organisciak said. "The safety and welfare of our students remains our priority."

The district hired Martinez in 2007 as administrative dean at Isaac Young. He cleared the standard state criminal fingerprinting check, and there had been no record of complaints from students or staff about him.

He was made assistant principal at Jefferson Elementary School in September.

Martinez was arraigned Friday in New Rochelle City Court. Bail was set at $500,000.