Valley Central High School employee charged in child sex investigation
Police say the Valley Central High School employee and owner of a local DJ business is accused of sexually abusing a child under 17 in a case dating back to 2019.
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A Valley Central High School employee has been placed on administrative leave after being arrested in connection with a child sex investigation, according to police and school officials.
Town of Montgomery Police arrested Eric Guarneri, 35, of Pine Bush, on June 18 following an investigation conducted with the Orange County Child Abuse Unit.
Guarneri was charged with criminal sex act in the third degree, a felony. According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the charge stems from an alleged incident that occurred Nov. 1, 2019, in the Town of Montgomery and involved a child under 17.
Prosecutors allege sexual conduct occurred between Guarneri and the child.
Guarneri was arraigned Thursday and remanded to Orange County Jail on $10,000 cash bail.
In a statement Friday, Valley Central School District Superintendent Evette Avila said the district became aware of the arrest and immediately placed the employee on administrative leave pending further review.
“The district is cooperating with the appropriate authorities and will continue to monitor the situation,” Avila said.
The district declined further comment, citing the ongoing police investigation and the personnel matter.
Multiple community sources said Guarneri worked as a janitor at Valley Central High School. Police said Guarneri owns Erock Entertainment, a local DJ and entertainment business.
Authorities are not releasing additional details about the investigation to protect the victim’s identity.
Guarneri is tentatively scheduled to return to Montgomery Town Court on Wednesday.
