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An athletic director at a school district in Westchester County has been arrested and charged in connection with allegedly extorting a teenager to send sexually explicit images and videos.
Thomas James Puccini, 28 years old and employed as the Interim Director of Physical Education, Health, and Athletics by the Eastchester Union Free School District, was arrested on Friday, Nov. 1.
He was charged with felony grand larceny in the fourth degree and was arraigned in White Plains City Court by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.
Puccini has been placed on administrative leave and is not permitted on district property.
Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced the arrest on Monday, Nov. 4, saying she is urging any possible victims to contact the DA’s Office or police.
According to the felony complaint, Puccini obtained images and videos of a sexual nature from a teen, starting when the victim was 17 years old, by threatening to expose confidential information about the victim.
The communications allegedly occurred between November 2021 and November 2023 on the social media platforms Snapchat and CashApp, a mobile payment service.
The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office’s Cyber Crimes Bureau and High Technology Crimes Squad conducted the investigation after the victim filed a report with the Eastchester Police Department, who referred the case to the DA‘s Office.
“Pressuring and threatening people for content that is sexual in nature, also known as ‘sextortion,’ is increasingly directed at our youth and is a crime," Rocah said.
As the charge is not bail eligible in New York, Puccini was released on his own recognizance and is due in Eastchester Town Court on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
In a statement, Eastchester School District Superintendent Ronald D. Valenti, Ph.D. said: "As this is both a personnel and legal matter, we are unable to provide any additional information at this time; however, we wish to assure our families that the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority."
A 2014 graduate of Eastchester High School, Puccini was named the district's interim AD in July 2024.
Anyone who may have been victimized or may have information about other possible victims of Puccini can contact the DA’s Office at 914-995-TIPS (8477). Language assistance is available.
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