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Steven A. Struzinski, a 42-year-old Plumstead resident and a teacher at Council Rock North High School in Newtown, was arrested Thursday, March 9, and late released on a $25,000 cash bond, state court filings show.
According to Bucks District Attorney Matthew Weintraub, Struzinski came under investigation on March 1, when an unnamed individual told Buckingham Township police that they had "been posing as a 13-year-old boy and had engaged in a texting relationship" with the teacher online.
Despite the witness telling Struzinski they were 13, the DA said he "initiated explicit sexual conversations" before arranging to meet the "teen" at George Bush Park in Buckingham Township. Authorities said Struzinski showed up at the agreed-upon time but fled when a witness snapped photos of his car and license plate.
The license plate from those photos is registered to Struzinski, prosecutors said. The DA claims the alleged incidents, from the text conversations to the aborted meetup, happened between May 20 and May 23 of last year.
Struzinski is charged with attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and criminal attempt to commit unlawful contact with a minor, Weintraub wrote. Court records show the 42-year-old is due back in court for his preliminary hearing on March 27.
In a statement to students and staff Thursday, Council Rock School District Superintendent Dr. Andrew J. Sanko said Struzinski had been placed on administrative leave, and that school officials "will be investigating (his) conduct" concurrent to the police investigation.
"We recognize that this is very concerning to all and understand that our students may react differently," his statement reads. "There will be additional counselors present at Council Rock North on Friday, March 10 to assist students and/or staff who may require support."
According to his LinkedIn profile, Struzinski taught social studies at the school.
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