Suffolk County Police said they were contacted in October 2021 by administrators of the Babylonian Union Free School District, who reported allegations of abuse from district staff.
During an investigation by Special Victims Section detectives, a woman surfaced in November 2021 and reported that she had a sexual relationship with teacher Timothy Harrison during the fall of 2013, when she was 15 and he was 38.
Police said Harrison had sexual contact with the victim outside the school, but the victim said Harrison had engaged in inappropriate conduct on school property.
Harrison, 46, of Oak Beach, who was also a lacrosse and basketball coach, was arrested during a traffic stop on the Robert Moses Causeway on Route 27A in West Islip.
Police said Harrison also coached the girls through legacy lacrosse. He said the lacrosse team had fired him as coach in November.
Eyewitness News reached out to Legacy Lacrosse for comment, but did not respond.
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Harrison has been charged with two counts of third-degree rape and one count of third-degree criminal sexual act.
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said: “I want to commend the victim in this case, who has displayed so much bravery after being a victim for years.”
Police said the woman was prompted to appear before the police in November after several women made similar allegations regarding alleged misbehavior by teachers and coaches at the Babylonian school board when they were students at Babylon High School. .
Anyone who believes they may be Harrison’s victim is asked to call Special Victims Section detectives at 631-852-8791.
Last year, Attorney General Letitia James order of inquiry in the district After the students of Babylon High School staged a walkout in support of the alumni who said they were sexually abused by teachers and trainers.
After the alumni came forward, five employees, including Harrison, were redeployed.
Brittany Rohl, 28, who graduated from Babylonian junior-senior high school in 2011, said in an open letter addressed to the Babylonian Board of Education that between 2010 and 2013, a teacher groomed her until her second year of college and sexually abused her. did.
“It was really insidious and it remained for a few years,” Rohl said. “He was my track coach, he started isolating me, telling me I was special… and then it got physical. Before that, he sat me on the bleachers and told me he was going to take my virginity.” Used to be.”
She said this has been going on for years and that when she was in college the coach used to come for her weekly sex as well.
Rohl told eyewitness news reporter Kristin Thorne that he was relieved by Harrison’s arrest and that his thoughts were with the victim.
“I know what it feels like to muster up the courage to talk about it,” she said.
Rohl said that her alleged abuser could not face criminal charges because she did not have sexual contact until a few days after her 18th birthday.
Rohl said she knew Harrison when she was in high school and was “not surprised” that she was arrested.
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Several other students shared their stories of sexual abuse at the school board meeting.
2009 graduate Darcy Bennett said, “I know he kicks people on the butt with a tennis racket, swings it between their legs, looks under their skirts, as if it were a running thing.”
2008 graduate Barbara Meier said she was also a victim.
“We didn’t know,” she said. “We were kids. That’s wrong.”
“The Babylon School District has been made aware that a high school teacher was arrested earlier today for an alleged criminal act involving sexual misconduct with a minor in 2013,” Superintendent Linda Rosie said in a statement Thursday. “Upon first learning of this alleged inappropriate behavior in November 2021, the district immediately removed the individual from its classroom, reassigned him or her to his residence, removed all privileges, and immediately notified law enforcement officials. The district also launched its own internal investigation. With regard to the allegations against this person. These allegations are extremely disturbing, and our condolences are with the victim. The District and Board of Education have zero tolerance towards such heinous acts and this Takes all claims of nature very seriously. We will continue to make the safety and well-being of our students and staff our top priority. Since this is a personnel matter, the district has no comment on this matter and the arrest of this person is not warranted. Refers any specific inquiry in relation to law enforcement.”
James says his office is still conducting a civil investigation into complaints made by women to the Babylonian school board.
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