EX-TEACHER PLEADS GUILTY TO SEX CRIME

Newsday/Alfonso A. Castillo

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

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

(Coram, New York)