Police: Retired New Jersey teacher touched student in sexual manner at Summit school

Police have announced a retired drama teacher and theater director at a middle school in Summit has been arrested and charged for alleged sexual contact with a student.

News 12 Staff

Jun 22, 2021, 9:45 AM

Updated 1,032 days ago

Share:

Police have announced a retired drama teacher and theater director at a middle school in Summit has been arrested and charged for alleged sexual contact with a student.
According to police, Ronald Wells, 69, is charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact following a reported incident in 2016 at Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School.
An investigation revealed the incident took place in a private third-floor room of the school. Wells allegedly asked the victim to join him after school hours to model costumes for a school play, and between costume changes, began touching the student in a sexual manner.
Wells was arrested Friday pending a first appearance and detention hearing scheduled to take place in Union County Superior Court.
Anyone with information is being urged to contact Summit Police Department Detective Sgt. Ryan Peters at 908-273-5871.


More from News 12
0:33
Authorities: Bronx River Parkway crash leaves 1 person dead, another in critical condition

Authorities: Bronx River Parkway crash leaves 1 person dead, another in critical condition

1:55
NYPD: 19-year-old fatally stabbed after parking dispute in Morris Heights; person of interest in custody

NYPD: 19-year-old fatally stabbed after parking dispute in Morris Heights; person of interest in custody

1:43
Early-morning patchy fog, cool and cloudy weather for Friday

Early-morning patchy fog, cool and cloudy weather for Friday

1:51
Vendors rally to demand accessible vendor licenses and permits after DSNY crackdowns

Vendors rally to demand accessible vendor licenses and permits after DSNY crackdowns

1:54
Morrisania tenants taking legal stance against building’s management

Morrisania tenants taking legal stance against building’s management

2:11
Bronx Zoo celebrates 125 years of bringing joy to New Yorkers

Bronx Zoo celebrates 125 years of bringing joy to New Yorkers

Is your mom awesome? New York City tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? New York City tell us why your Mom Rocks!

0:54
Guide: How to host Passover on a budget

Guide: How to host Passover on a budget

2:04
Bronx River Parkway undergoes construction; prepare for traffic delays

Bronx River Parkway undergoes construction; prepare for traffic delays

1:53
Bronx man hard at work to fight off catalytic converter thieves

Bronx man hard at work to fight off catalytic converter thieves

0:26
NYPD: Man wanted for breaking into Bronx building twice in 10 days

NYPD: Man wanted for breaking into Bronx building twice in 10 days

0:24
Police: Man steals 77-year-old's wallet at Chase Bank in Kingsbridge

Police: Man steals 77-year-old's wallet at Chase Bank in Kingsbridge

0:23
Spring Arrival: Hummingbirds heading to New York

Spring Arrival: Hummingbirds heading to New York

2:19
Denim takes over Bronx Borough Hall for day dedicated to raising sexual assault awareness

Denim takes over Bronx Borough Hall for day dedicated to raising sexual assault awareness

1:34
NYPD says new campaign has lowered crime citywide; some New Yorkers don’t buy it

NYPD says new campaign has lowered crime citywide; some New Yorkers don’t buy it

2:09
Federal civil rights complaint filed against NYC Public Schools Athletic League

Federal civil rights complaint filed against NYC Public Schools Athletic League

2:10
NYS Federation of Taxi Drivers offer $5,000 reward after string of carjackings and robberies

NYS Federation of Taxi Drivers offer $5,000 reward after string of carjackings and robberies

2:13
Police: 34-year-old motorcycle driver dies in crash with SUV, parked car

Police: 34-year-old motorcycle driver dies in crash with SUV, parked car

2:21
Bronx advocates closer than ever to opening birthing center

Bronx advocates closer than ever to opening birthing center

1:51
NYC charter school system serving school lunches made from scratch

NYC charter school system serving school lunches made from scratch