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Sopel, l.,, and Sumuliskoski (MUGSHOTS: Bergen County Prosecutor)
Artur Sopel, 31, of River Edge, is being held on $225,000 bail and Michael Sumulikoski, 27, of Elmwood Park, on $50,000 bail.
Sopel, a former teacher who is married, is charged with sexual assault, child endangerment and hindering apprehension.
Sumulikoski, an assistant varsity football coach in charge of the wide receivers and cornerbacks who also teaches at the school, is charged with endangerment. A former team captain, “Sims” was graduated from Paramus Catholic in ’01 before attending Rutgers University.
He was a two-time All-League selection at wide receiver and cornerback and winner of the 2001 All-Suburban Most Versatile Player Award.
Sopel was graduated from the school in 1998. More than 6 feet tall, he had been playing soccer when he was recruited for Paramus Catholic’s varsity basketball team — and quickly became a high-scoring frontcourt player.
PCHS removed team photo & bio of “Sims” from its web site today
Members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit arrested both men at their homes today following a month-long investigation.
Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said four separate teenage female students were involved.
“According to three of the victims, the alleged inappropriate sexual conduct occurred during a Paramus Catholic High School Belgium/Germany Exchange Program trip and, more specifically, while the students were in Germany,” Molinelli said.
After the initial allegations were reported, a fourth female said she “engaged in sexual activities with Artur Sopel in the spring of 2010, during the school year, when she was a student at Paramus Catholic High School,” the prosecutor added.
Both are due in Central Municipal Court in Hackensack tomorrow. They’re being held in the Bergen County Jail.
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