By SARI ZEIDLER
Antoine Saunders of Bellmore "inappropriately touched a 14-year-old boy" after school on Jan. 12, said Detective Lt. John Allen of the Nassau County Police Department's Special Victims Section, declining to name the victim owing to his age.
Saunders pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in First District Court on Jan. 16, and denies any accusations of inappropriate behavior, said his lawyer, Matthew Fleischer. "There was no forcible touching, that much is clear," Fleischer said. "My client absolutely, unequivocally denies that."
According to Allen, the alleged incident leading to Saunders's arrest happened after a sporting event. For many, the incident is reminiscent of the 2003 Mepham football team hazing scandal that brought national media attention to the school.
While the touching was said to take place in the locker room, Allen said, "I don't see any hazing here at all," adding that hazing activities are typically more organized. Allen also declined to name any sports teams that the victim or Saunders might belong to.
Police have credited Mepham faculty with quickly contacting law enforcement upon learning of the accusations on Jan. 13. In a prepared statement, Dr. Henry Kiernan, superintendent of schools, said, "The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District has a zero-tolerance policy in regards to inappropriate behavior of any kind and expects all students to adhere to our code of conduct."
Fleischer, though, suggested that detectives may not have handled the interrogation in the best way. "The police forced my client to write a letter of apology, but there is nothing really to apologize about," Fleischer said, adding that the letter does not contain any admission of guilt.
Sgt. Anthony Repalone countered by noting that it is "department policy not to comment on any written or verbal admissions or confessions offenders give police," adding, "A thorough investigation was conducted in this case by detectives of the Special Victims Section, and based on witness and victim information, this individual was arrested and charged with the forcible touching of this student."
No suggestions have been made regarding Saunders's possible motive, but a police press release said he "forcibly touched a minor for the purpose of degrading him." Meanwhile, Allen said at a news conference that "forcible touching," which he described as inappropriate bodily contact between two people against the will of one participant, "could also be of a sexual nature."
Both Allen and Fleischer said there is no history of conflict between the boys before last week's accusations.
"He's a boy with a clean record, no problems with the law ever, not even in family court," Fleischer said of Saunders, who lives in a North Bellmore boys' group home that Fleischer said he entered voluntarily. "He's going to go to trial on this matter, and hopefully the truth will come out and he will be acquitted."
Comments about this story? Szeidler@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
