46°
Attorney John Ray, speaking at a news conference Monday, May 6, said 18-year-old Anastasia Stapon claimed that "sexual deviant" Dr. Charles Regan "deluded her into complete dependence upon him alone," according to a notice to file claim for $10 million against the Riverhead Central School District and Regan.
"I am here to expose this evil, dirty man," Stapon said at the news conference.
The alleged abuse began Jan. 8, and continued until April 30, Ray said.
Since the alleged abuse came to light, Regan, a married father of two, has been reassigned with pay, pending the outcome of any investigation, according to the school district.
Stapon, a senior and athlete at the school, and an adopted child from Russia claimed that the high school principal isolated her from her family, friends and the school counselor in order to groom her for his sexual use.
"She has been destroyed," said Ray. "Her principal who had been her mentor, her hero, is in fact just a pervert who used his power over her to ensnare her in his dirty sexual trap."
He went on to say that Stapon was vulnerable, suffering from a deep depression, who turned to "weed and alcohol."
"She was especially defenseless, a sitting target for a predator," said Ray.
By request, Ray sent Daily Voice a copy of the alleged text messages sent by the principal, as well as numerous "selfies," some of them nude.
Riverhead Police Chief David Hegermiller said Stapon had met with detectives and turned over the texts and photos.
"They are quite appalling and unbecoming a public servant," the chief said. "But we have not reached a point in the investigation to know if they reach a level of criminality to charge."
The chief went on to say that if the principal's actions turn out to be illegal, he will be charged.
Both Stapon and Ray have called up the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, along with the U.S. Attorney's Office to investigate the incidents.
The incidents came to light when Stapon told her adoptive parents after Regan allegedly pulled Stapon by the neck and "shoved his tongue into her mouth."
Ray also alleged that Regan made death threats to two other students because he was jealous of their relationship with the teen.
Records show that Regan joined in the district in 2006 as assistant principal and became principal in 2013.
Regan could not be reached for comment. A check of the school's website shows Regan's photo and information has been removed.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Suffolk and receive free news updates.
