MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — A former Middletown Area High School teacher has been charged with multiple offenses that occurred between September and November 2023, when he was working at the school, police said Friday.
Zachary Agustin Cerrone, 33, of Wellsboro, was arrested Thursday by Lower Swatara Township Police. He is charged with a felony count of institutional sexual assault, two felony counts of unlawful contact with a minor (sexual offenses), two misdemeanor counts of corruption of minors, and three misdemeanor counts of indecent assault.
According to a criminal complaint affidavit filed by investigators, a student reported to authorities that Cerrone touched her buttocks, shoulders and elbows multiple times while in the classroom, and would stare at her legs when she wore leggings to class, making her uncomfortable.
Another student corroborated some of the first student's allegations, telling authorities she witnessed some of Cerrone's alleged conduct, according to police. The second student also accused Cerrone of touching her hips and buttocks, police said.
A staff member at Middletown High School also accused Cerrone of touching her inappropriately, claiming he would rub the genital area of his pants on her when he walked behind her in the classroom. The staff member claimed she confronted Cerrone about his conduct, but he did not stop.
Multiple other members of the staff at Middletown High School expressed concern about Cerrone's actions toward female students to investigators, according to the complaint.
Cerrone, who was listed on the Middletown School District website as a special education teacher, resigned his position at the high school in January, according to school board minutes. He was hired in 2021.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Chelton Hunter released the following letter addressing the allegations against Cerrone:
"It has recently come to our attention from local media sources that a former teacher within our school district has been charged with alleged inappropriate conduct. We are deeply troubled by these allegations as situations like this erode the trust that students, parents, and the community place within the educators of the school district. In addition, we understand the seriousness of these allegations and want to assure our community that the proper steps were taken to remove this individual from the school district pending a full-scale investigation.
Upon learning of these accusations from students on December 7, 2023, the high school administration took immediate action to address the situation. They conducted an internal investigation with students and staff, placed a Childline referral to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and cooperated fully with local law enforcement authorities as they continue to investigate this matter. The day the accusations were made, the teacher was put on immediate administrative leave with pay and never returned to the District, with an exit date of January 2, 2024.
The District will continue to take the necessary steps to protect and ensure the safety and well-being of our students. We want to emphasize that inappropriate conduct of any kind will not be tolerated within our school district. If anyone has additional information that is related to this case, please reach out to the school district or Lower Swatara Police Department."
PAWrestling.com also lists Cerrone as the former head wrestling coach at Hershey High School. He is also listed as the junior high coach of the Elizabethtown High School girls' wrestling team.
The investigation is still ongoing, according to police. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Det. Robert Appleby with the Lower Swatara Township Police Dept. at 717-648-8665 or 717-558-6900.
