Harlem Elementary School Teacher Raphael Sosa Arrested for Molestation
A
third grade teacher Raphael Sosa was arraigned this week for allegedly
molesting an 8-year old student at an elementary school in Harlem,
according to officials. The girl told police that 29-year old kissed
her on the lips and touched her private parts, according to law
enforcement.
Read report from
Black Blue Dog:
Prosecutors
are alleging that the abuse occurred over a six-month period and ended
last week inside a PS 208 classroom. Prosecutors say that Sosa groomed
the girl’s entire family, became friends with her mother and bought an
iPad, Nintendo game and sneakers for the girl. He also bought items for
the girl’s older brothers.
Sosa is married and the father of a 5-year old. He pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of sexual conduct
against a child and sexual abuse. He is also being charged with a
misdemeanor count of acting in a manner to injure a child under 17. He
is being held on $75,000 bail.
“The defendant instructed the
child to log in to the defendant’s Gmail account and send him emails
stating in substance: I LOVE YOU, I MISS YOU. MY HEART BELONGS TO YOU,”
the complaint states.
Sosa’s defense attorney, Virginia LoPreta
says that Sosa is going to defend himself vigorously and that the
evidence was circumstantial.
“I did not hear any corroboration of anything other than a relationship” – with the family, she said.
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