A Yonkers high school teacher was charged with molesting male students after gaining their trust by changing transcripts to reflect higher grades than actually earned, prosecutors said.
Dean Martin, 43, a computer teacher at Saunders High School, was accused in a 36-count indictment of sex abuse, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child, all misdemeanors.
He also faces felony counts of forgery and falsifying business records for changing student grades and Regents test scores as well as erasing absences, prosecutors said.
"In exploiting his ability to adjust grades, test scores and attendance, he compelled and manipulated students into visiting him outside of class, solely to fulfill his own agenda with no regard to what his actions would have on these students or their classmates," said Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore in a statement.
Martin, of Yonkers, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Friday, where bail was set at $25,000 bond. The judge also issued temporary orders of protection directing Martin to stay away from his alleged victims.
He allegedly preyed on students in his office and has been manipulating school paperwork from September 2005 to January 2010, prosecutors said.
His attorney, Anthony DiFiore, said Friday that Martin "maintains his innocence and has vehemently denied these charges since he walked into my office over a year ago."
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He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.
