Teacher Indicted on Sex Abuse Charges

Originally published in Newsday, May 15, 2001

A Bronx teacher accused of sexually assaulting three grammar school students has been indicted by a grand jury on multiple sex abuse and sodomy charges, authorities said yesterday.

Milton McFarlane was charged with six counts of first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of first-degree sodomy and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson said.

McFarlane, 38, taught second grade at Public School 78 until his arrest May 2.

The charges stemmed from alleged sexual assaults on three boys several times in 1998 and this year.

The most serious charges against McFarlane involve the alleged sodomy of a 9-year-old boy. Authorities said McFarlane repeatedly sodomized the boy on school grounds since school began in September. If convicted, McFarlane could receive up to 25 years in prison for each sodomy count.