EX-TEACHER CONVICTED IN SEX ABUSE OF 2 BOYS

Steven Nowicki, a 37 year old former fifth-grade teacher was convicted yesterday of sexually abusing two boys who said he crept into their bunk beds after they were invited by him to spend the night.  Nowicki was found guilty on all 22 counts of sodomy, sexual abuse and endangering children.  His $350,000 bail was revoked and he was ordered held until sentencing.  The boys, now 8 and 10, testified at the trial.  Nowicki testified that he never touched these boys during the predawn hours of New Year's Day 1999.  He could face up to 50 years in prison.

(White Plains, New York)