Say Rego Pk. Man Molested Boys
A computer teacher at a Rego Park school was cuffed last Thursday, Feb. 16, for allegedly molesting a pair of young boys inside his classroom multiple times during the 2010-11 school year, law enforcement sources said.
Wilbert Cortez, 49, a Rego Park resident assigned to P.S. 174 at 65-10 Dieterle Crescent, reportedly groped a now-nine-year-old child and a noweight year-old boy numerous times. He was arraigned last Thursday night in Queens Criminal Court before Judge John Zoll on two counts of second degree sexual conduct against a child and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown noted that Judge Zoll ordered Cortez held on $50,000 bail and to return to court on Mar. 19. The suspect faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.
“These are serious accusations in which a school teacher-who should serve as a role model to students-is instead accused of using his position to gain access to children for his own gratification,” Brown said in a statement. “Schools should be safe havens where students are protected from harm. These are disturbing allegations that, if true, require punishment.”
Each of the alleged molestations took place between Sept. 7, 2010 and June 30, 2011 inside Cortez’s class- room. According to law enforcement sources, the suspect allegedly groped a now-nine-year-old boy over his clothing and fondled his genitalia.
During the same period, authorities noted, Cortez allegedly rubbed the genitalia and buttocks of the now-eight-year-old boy.
Cortez was collared last Thursday following a thorough investiga- tion conducted by Det. Carlos Almonte of the NYPD Queens Special Victims Squad.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lauren R. Parson of the D.A.’s Special Victims Bureau, which is supervised by Assistant District Attorneys Marjory D. Fisher, bureau chief, and Kenneth M. Appelbaum and Lucinda C. Suarez, deputy bureau chiefs.
