A 19-year-old Newtown teenager, who allegedly began dating 39-year-old Newtown High School custodian James Young nearly four years ago, said details of their relationship became public about a month ago after Young was accused of threatening and assaulting her in Southbury.
“I have no choice but to say something,” said the teenager, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the case.
The teenager said the charges and relationship between the two became public following a March 20 altercation in Southbury in which Young, of Middlebury, was charged with disorderly conduct, second-degree threatening, second-degree criminal mischief and third-degree assault.
Southbury police have not responded to requests for more information on that altercation.
In court files connected with that case, a Superior Court judge in Waterbury ordered that Young stay away from the teenager and refrain from making any contact with her.
The teenager said that through statements she made in connection with that March incident, authorities learned that the alleged dating relationship between the two began when she was only 15-years-old and attended Newtown High School where Young worked.
Under Connecticut law, it is illegal forand where the age difference is more than three years. It also is illegal for a Board of Education employee to have sex with a student enrolled in one of the schools in the district.
Young has not responded to requests for comment. A lawyer has not filed an appearance in Waterbury court on Young's behalf.
The teenager said she first got to know Young in the course of dating a fellow Newtown High School student who also worked for Young. Young operates a landscaping business outside of school.
The relationship with the fellow student did not last, although after that break-up, the teenager said she remained friends with Young particularly because they would see each other in school.
They would talk, and became more comfortable with each other, the teenager said, adding that eventually, they began making plans to see each other after school, meeting in places, such as Starbucks where they would continue their conversation.
The meet-ups then would include drives in his car and eventually he took her to his house, according to the teenager.
“It ended up being sexual and kind of an emotional relationship,” she said. “It was a mutual thing.”
The teenager said she felt uneasy about the relationship due to the age difference but believed that after graduation, she would see less of Young as she attended college and worked at the same time.
But the relationship continued, the teenager said, adding that eventually she decided she didn't want to be in the relationship any more. She said that several months ago, she repeatedly told Young that she wanted him to leave her alone.
The teenager said that it was a Sunday in March that she and a male friend were on their way home from house sitting for another friend in Waterbury when she allegedly spotted Young in his black car waiting for her. Through the window, Young allegedly began making threatening gestures at her, the teenager said.
A car chase ensued and through a cell phone call, Young allegedly told the teenager he was going to kill her and her friend, the teenager said. He also demanded she returned to him $260, which she assumed was to pay for tires he had bought for her on her birthday, the teenager said.
The teenager said she pulled off Interstate 84 into a parking lot in Southbury where she got out of the car. Young approached, allegedly threatened her and was pulling at her when a Southbury police officer, who had spotted the car chase, apprehended Young, the teenager said.
She said police told her that once he was in custody, Young denied allegations the relationship had become sexual, telling police that he had never invited the teenager to his bedroom.
The police asked her to verify her story by drawing a map of Young’s bedroom where much of the sexual intercourse occurred, the teenager said.
The teenager said she complied and offered details of Young’s bedroom, such as the Hawaiian girl lamp he displayed on his night stand as evidence she said that she had been there and was intimately familiar with the room.
“I’m not going to lie,” she said.
Young is to appear in Superior Court in Waterbury on Thursday to answer to the sexual assault and other charges.
So, the cops pushed the "sex with a minor" issue and delved deeper into something that only started after they witnessed an argument between the two. No one pressed charges and no one filed a motion, except the cops. This would have remained private, if the cops didn't go out of their way to find a crime. I feel bad for both the guy and the girl. They're both the victims here... But him mostly of course. But then, he was the idiot who got involved with a child. As an adult, he should have known the ramifications of involving himself with someone so naive. The fact that he actually thought they would last? The cops are the main criminals here. Why did they have to pursue this to this extent? Don't they have anything better to do, like catch drug dealers or something?
so, since 15, not a single teacher, peer-employee or administrator saw anything or heard any rumors upon which to become curious and act??? If this is the case, what else is being conveniently overlooked at NHS? OR... The yet to be named "victim" is a great story teller
My point is, that it is NOT the job of the police to pursue a crime when no one has filed a complaint for one. It's NOT their job. It's NOT. The girl didn't file a complaint or ask for their help in any kind of a "sex offence". They simply saw an argument take place and searched for an issue that was not at hand. How often do people call the police for help in a domestic disturbance, only to be told that they can't do anything... That it's a civil matter? And if there are no other concerns at hand, they have to back off. If there's no reason for them to hang around, they gotta' go & have to stop wasting their time. Time & time again. They saw a domestic disturbance & should have backed off after they dealt with that event. They instead coerced a young girl into telling them things based on "someone's" personal concern or agenda, within the police force. I'd like to bet it was an officer with religious and personal reasons that got him concerned.
None of us can pass anything but our own judgments and opinions, when none of us have heard both sides of the story. When and if his side is made public, that is.
I sure hope they didn't know. A 35yr old man should know this is wrong and something is wrong with him.
If the police DIDN'T do their job and DIDN'T pull someone working in our school system who had sex with a student out of school, you really think the public would find that acceptable??? The facts are the facts: a 35-year-old had sex with an underage girl. This is against the law. This is a child predator, no matter how you slice it. The police did their job. End of story!
I disagree. And obviously no one is going to change either of our minds. I've said what I need to say and so have you.
Obviously others disagree with you and have their own opinions on the matter. Just because they aren't your opinions, doesn't mean they're wrong. Let it go.
Morality aside, how could he possibly think she wouldn't grow up herself? Dumb.
Yup - sounds like ol' "Jim" is a real stand-up guy and a role model for us all. Allegedly he raped her multiple times and threatened to kill her and her friend. Sounds like a "great guy" to me! Do you have a young daughter, Mr. Pookman? If so, would you leave her alone with this man? Sorry, but I've never mistaken a 12 year old for a 20 year old, or vice versa, male or female. Don't know where you live, but I hope it's not in my neighborhood.! And why are you just now commenting on an article that appeared 8 months ago? Are you new to the area or did you just wake up?