Thursday, October 1, 2026
On Jan. 27, Long Beach Middle School teacher John Anfossi was arraigned on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child. According to Nassau County detectives, the 54-year-old is accused of touching a female student athlete in a sexually inappropriate manner during a Dec. 2025 wrestling practice. Anfossi pleaded not guilty before being released, with a temporary order of protection put into effect. His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 10.
During his 15-plus years at LBMS, Anfossi has served as a physical education teacher; dean of students; girls golf coach; boys soccer coach; boys wrestling assistant coach; advisor to Project Peace, an anti-bullying club; advisor to Pay It Forward, a volunteer and charity-focused group and PAC chair for the Long Beach Classroom Teachers Association.
Details of the case, including the age of the student involved and specific circumstances, have not been released. When news of the arrest went public on Feb. 5, a swell of support for Anfossi quickly spread across social media with residents, former students and parents of students sharing their positive experiences with the longtime coach and teacher. Many expressed confusion, disbelief and frustration at the charges.
Amy Schwartz Bernabeo, a Long Beach resident whose son had Anfossi as both a dean of students and wrestling coach, has been active on Facebook sharing her opinion of Anfossi. “For over 30 years, he has dedicated his life to our school district. Not just as a wrestling coach, but as a mentor who genuinely cares about kids and this community,” Schwartz Bernabeo explained. “I have seen the positive impact he has had on students — teaching discipline, respect and perseverance, both on and off the mat.”
The case is being investigated by the Nassau County Police Department, not the Long Beach Police Department, because the alleged event occurred at Lido Elementary School in Lido Beach, which falls under NCPD jurisdiction. The class A misdemeanor carries a potential sentence of up to one year in jail.
Long Beach Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Gallagher shared a statement to say, “We are aware of the allegations involving this individual and are fully cooperating with law enforcement officials.” Gallagher continued, “The individual is a middle school employee and involved in the district’s athletics program. The individual in question has been administratively reassigned while this matter is being investigated. As this is a matter of personnel, the district has no further comment.”
During a Feb. 10 Board of Education meeting, the board passed a resolution, effective for the upcoming spring semester, removing Anfossi as coach of the varsity girls golf team and middle school boys wrestling team.
Detectives are asking anyone who feels they may have been a victim to call the Nassau County Police Department’s Fourth Squad at (516) 573-6453.
