A judge says New Jersey authorities can prosecute two high school employees on charges of having sex with students on a school trip to Germany.
Lawyers for the two suspended employees of Paramus Catholic High School had argued the state had no jurisdiction because the alleged acts took place in another country. But in a ruling Tuesday, a judge determined the employees had agreed in New Jersey to oversee the children and therefore can be prosecuted.
Prosecutors had said a permission form signed by parents gives the school significant responsibility for the students.
The defendants are Artur Sopel, who was vice president of operations, and Michael Sumulikoski, a substitute teacher and assistant football coach. Both acted as chaperones on the 2011 trip. They deny any wrongdoing.
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Copyright AP - Associated Press
