Former Miss Porter's Teacher Accused of Sexually Assaulting Student

Joseph Rajkumar was indicted on a federal charge today.

A former science teacher at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington was indicted today on federal charges stemming from his alleged sexual contact with a teenage student.

Joseph Rajkumar, 44, was arrested in March of 2013 after allegedly having sexual relations with a 16-year-old during the 2011-2012 school year. Federal authorities said he contacted the student online and enticed her to engage in sexual activity.

A federal grand jury indicted him Wednesday on one count of using an interstate facility to persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity.

According to the 2013 warrant for his arrest, the teen told police what started as groping turned into sexual intercourse in a classroom closet. She said she was afraid to report it because she her diploma would be taken away and she would be forced to leave college.

The investigation was launched after a school guidance counselor contacted the Department of Children and Families to report inappropriate conversations and text messages between Rajkumar and at least five students ages 15-18, the warrant says.

Rajkumar was subsequently charged with three counts of sexual assault, one stemming from the November 2011 incident and two others from May 2010 and February 2012, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

He pleaded guilty in Connecticut court to second-degree sexual assault and, in January 2014, was sentenced to 10 years in prison suspended after 18 months and followed by 10 years of probation. Rajkumar is currently in the custody of the state Department of Corrections.

If convicted on federal charges, Rajkumar could spent anywhere from 10 years to life behind bars.

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