ACQUITTED BY JURY. NOT GUILTY ON LESSER COUNTS.
May 10, 2008 - Franco Sicilia Jr., 37, a first-year Bensalem High School teacher, was arrested after a three-month investigation and charged with four counts of corruption of minors and four counts of harassment for incidents with four female students this school year.
One student told police she stopped going to classes early to avoid contact with Sicilia. Another female senior student told police that Sicilia would say things to her like, “‘I want to talk to you after graduation, there are some things I can’t tell you now’,” according to the complaint. Another described how students teamed up to avoid "caging" where he blocked them from behind, leaning over them and caging him with his arms.
However, the allegations about the incidents involving four senior girls were first reported to Bensalem Police School Resource Officer John Domanico Feb. 5. Eight days later non-teaching assistants (NTAs) were told not to offer any information about students to police, probation officers or staff without the permission of the administrators, according to notes from the NTAs’ Feb. 13 meeting that were provided to police.Sicilia was placed on unpaid leave in February. After his arraignment Wednesday Sicilia posted 10 percent of his $35,000 bail and was released. The investigation was a joint effort between a county detective and Bensalem police because Sicilia’s wife works for the township.
“When NTAs are questioned by Staff, Probation, Police etc... about students they are not to offer any information without the knowledge/permission of the administrator,” the notes read.
A school employee who asked not to be identified said that if employees are told not to cooperate with police, problems at the school district could easily be hidden by administrators. That employee said the administration has threatened to fire anyone who does speak with police and staff without permission.
Full Name: Franco John Sicilia Jr.
PRELIMINARY June 27, 2008 - For almost an hour Thursday, the four 18-year-old Bensalem women testified at the preliminary hearing. One of the women broke down in tears that caused a brief halt to the hearing. The judge found sufficient cause and the trial in Bucks County court is tentatively scheduled for next month.
SCHEDULED - Formal arraignment is scheduled for July 25, 2008 at 12 PM with a trial date of August 25, 2008. [Updated 7/4/08]
ACQUITTED October 8 - Bucks County jury found Bensalem teacher Franco Sicilia not guilty of corrupting the morals of female students in his class. the jury was dismissed, Bucks County Judge David Heckler found Sicilia not guilty on four lessor counts of harassment.
ACQUITTED BY JURY. NOT GUILTY ON LESSER COUNTS.
