Nutley HS substitute teacher accused of touching himself in class in front of students – NorthJersey.com

A substitute teacher in Nutley was arrested Tuesday after police said he was caught masturbating in a classroom.

Police charged Richard Dunn, 58, with endangering the welfare of a minor after allegedly masturbating in front of Nutley High School students on two separate occasions, once on Feb. 1 and again on March 10.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, the Feb. 1 incident was caught on video by a student. On March 10, police said four different students reported that Dunn was masturbating during a digital media class. One of the students informed the teacher in a next door classroom, who in turn informed a guidance counselor and the vice principal. The student told police that Dunn was staring at the female students while masturbating, according to the affidavit. Three of the four students who gave statements to police reported seeing Dunn’s penis, the affidavit claims.

Police alleged that Dunn saw students staring at him and asked, “are you guys all right?” He then stopped masturbating, according to the affidavit.

In an email sent to parents Wednesday, the Nutley school district said the incident was reported on March 10 and officials worked with police on the investigation. 

More Nutley school news:Nutley beginning search for new schools superintendent

For subscribers:Passenger in Tenafly crash that killed one sues, claims underage driver was given alcohol

It was not immediately known if Dunn substituted between the Feb. 1 and March 10 incidents, and why the Feb. 1 video was not reported. 

The investigation led to Dunn being charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and one count of lewdness for the March 10 incident, and another charge of endangering the welfare of a minor for the Feb. 1 incident.  

“Protecting the children, and the residents of this community is our number one concern,” Public Safety Director Alphonse Petracco said in a statement. “When police are called upon to investigate allegations as serious as the ones reported last week, we prioritize our efforts to ensure no one is at risk.”

The school district said counselors would be available to any student who wants to talk about the incident. Superintendent Julie Glazer and school board member Joe Battaglia directed all questions about the matter to the Nutley Police Department.

When asked for comment, Petracco referred to the police department’s press release. Nutley Mayor Mauro Tucci and school board president Daniel Carnicella could not immediately be reached for comment.

Dunn is currently held at Essex County Jail, according to the county’s inmate log.

Liam Quinn is a breaking news reporter for NorthJersey.com. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.

Email: quinnl@northjersey.com

Twitter: @Liam_D_Quinn