Lydia Pinto, a teacher from New Jersey, has been charged with engaging in a sexual relationship with a minor student. The Raritan Borough Police Department (RBPD) Chief Raymond Nolte stated that Pinto, 38, was arrested following accusations of sexual assault by a former student.
Who is Lydia Pinto?
On November 8, Lydia Pinto, a former teacher at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, was arrested and charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault as well as two counts of second-degree sexual assault. The arrest was made without any issues.
On October 16, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office initiated an inquiry into Pinto’s behavior following an anonymous email received by the Bridgewater Police Department, which contained information about Pinto’s purported relationship with the student.
According to a press release from November 17, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald reported that detectives from the sex crimes and child abuse unit were able to locate and interview the victim, who is now an adult, on October 26. The statement read,
“The victim reported engaging in a relationship with former teacher, Lydia Pinto. The victim further reported that the relationship turned sexual when the victim was between the ages of 14 to 15 and continued until the victim’s senior year of high school.”
What charges is Lydia Pinto facing?
According to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Pinto is being charged with multiple counts, including first-degree aggravated sexual assault and two counts of second-degree sexual assault. McDonald stated that the gym teacher was arrested without any issues and is now being held in the Somerset County Jail until her initial court hearing.
According to McDonald, the prosecutor’s office initiated an inquiry into Lydia Pinto on October 16th through their sex crimes and child abuse division. This was prompted by an anonymous email received by the Bridgewater Police Department, which raised concerns about a possible inappropriate relationship between a teacher and a former student.
McDonald stated that the student was interviewed by members of the sex crimes and child abuse unit and RBPD investigators ten days after the incident.
The two agencies continued to look into the issue, resulting in Pinto’s arrest on November 8, according to McDonald. No additional information is available and both the prosecutor’s office and RBPD have chosen not to make any further statements regarding the matter.
It is uncertain whether Pinto has appeared in court or entered a plea for the case. According to a Facebook post from last March, Lydia Pinto was also employed as a driver’s education instructor for the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Pinto coached field hockey and girl’s lacrosse at the school.
McDonald encouraged anyone with knowledge about the purported sexual assault to reach out to his office’s division for sex crimes and child abuse.
Where is she now?
After being arrested, Pinto was detained at Somerset County Jail. However, as reported by Fox News Digital, she was released after only one week on November 15, pending her court appearance. Although it is common knowledge that Lydia is married, her spouse’s name has not been revealed.
