FORMER SCHOOL TEACHER IS SENTENCED TO UP TO 7 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR SODOMY AND SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG STUDENTS

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a former New York City public school teacher has been sentenced to a term of up to seven years imprisonment for sodomizing and sexually abusing three young boys.

Gary Coleman, 52, of 1350 Webster Avenue, the Bronx, was found guilty last month of two counts of Sodomy in the 2nd degree, four counts of Sexual Abuse in the 2nd degree, and three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

State Supreme Court Justice Margaret Clancy sentenced Coleman to concurrent terms of 2 1/3 to 7 years imprisonment on the sodomy charges and 1 year in jail on each of the charges of sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child. Once Coleman is released from prison, he must register as a sex offender.

The incidents of sodomy and sexual abuse occurred between January 1, 2003 and May 31, 2003, either in the defendant’s classroom at Intermediate School 158 or in his office at a community center at Webster and Clermont Avenues, where he coached all three boys on a neighborhood basketball team. Coleman, a mathematics teacher, also coached the school basketball team and taught math to two of the victims. Coleman paid the victims, a 12 year old boy and two 14 year old boys, amounts ranging from $20 to $200 for sexual favors.

The crimes came to light during a basketball game in June 2003 when the boys told Coleman that they were going to play on another team. Coleman became upset and began yelling at the boys in such an abusive manner that the coach for the opposing team became concerned and questioned the boys about the reason for Coleman’s behavior. The incidents were reported to the Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City School District who looked into the allegations and referred the matter to the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Scott Anderson of the Child Abuse / Sex Crimes Bureau.