Teacher Accused Of Enticing Minor In Newtown

A 68-year-old private music teacher from Fairfield County faces sexual assault charges after allegedly starting an inappropriate relationship with a young student, police said.

A private music teacher from Newtown faces numerous sexual assault charges, police said.
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Ben Crnic

08/24/2023 6:00 p.m.

Newtown resident Richard Neal, age 68, was arrested by Newtown Police on Wednesday, Aug. 23 on sexual assault charges, the department announced.

According to authorities, the arrest followed an investigation into Neal's inappropriate relationship with a juvenile student to whom he had provided private music lessons.

When this relationship became known, Newtown Police Detective Chelsea Harold began an investigation with the help of the department's patrol division that entailed several interviews as well as the execution of several search and seizure warrants.

As a result of the investigation, a warrant for Neal's arrest was issued by Danbury Superior Court. He was charged with:

Three counts of second-degree sexual assault;
Three counts of enticing a minor by computer;
Tampering with physical evidence.

Following his arrest, Neal was held on a $200,000 bail. He was scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on Thursday, Aug. 24.

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