EX-TEACHER PLEADS GUILTY TO SEX CRIME

PFMLIT General, LONG ISLAND NEWS, SEX OFFENDERS AND OTHERS IN POSITIONS OF TRUST, TEACHERS SCHOOL STAFF

Newsday/Alfonso A. Castillo

rn

Danny Rivera Cuesta, a 30 year old former teacher at North Babylon High School, was arrested inrnSeptember 2005 and charged with raping a 15 year old girl in 2003 who was a student at that highrnschool. Cuesta, of Coram, was arrested and charged with third degree rape for an incident thatrnpolice said occurred October 13, 2003.

rn

Five days after his statutory rape trial ended with a hung jury, Cuesta admitted in court onrnNovember 1, 2006, that he had sex with the underaged student. Prosecutors also revealed in courtrnthat two other girls have come forward, saying Cuesta had sex with them. Cuesta pleaded guilty tornone count of third degree rape, two counts of third degree criminal sexual act and one count ofrnendangering the welfare of the child. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors recommended a sentencernof 15 months in jail. He will be sentenced on January 4.

rn

(Coram, New York)

rn