After a former pupil revealed the details of their years-long sexual relationship, the gym teacher was sentenced to prison.
On November 8, Lydia Pinto, a 38-year-old New Jersey native and former Bridgewater-Raritan High School teacher, was charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault and first-degree aggravated sexual assault.
Police claim there was no problem during her arrest.
On October 16, the Bridgewater Police Department received an anonymous email outlining Pinto’s purported relationship with the student, prompting the Somerset County Prosecutors Office to open an inquiry into Pinto’s behaviour.
According to a Facebook post on the high school’s page, Pinto taught driver’s education and coached hockey and girls lacrosse.
The victim, who is now an adult, was located and questioned on October 26 by detectives from the office’s sex crimes and child abuse unit, according to a press statement issued by Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald on November 17.
“The victim reported engaging in a relationship with former teacher, Lydia Pinto,” the press announcement stated.
“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.”
The sexual activity all took place in the Raritan Borough, the prosecutor said.
Upon her arrest, Pinto was booked into Somerset County Jail but seven days later, on November 15, she was released pending her next court date.