Retired teacher charged with sex abuse of 3

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September 30, 2008

<a href="mailto:avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com">By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG</a> The Press Republican Tue Sep 30, 2008, 05:01 PM EDT

FORT COVINGTON — A retired school teacher from California abused three boys in Franklin County, police say.

Native New Yorker Patrick Romeo was charged Monday night with two felony counts of first-degree sexual abuse and three misdemeanor counts of forcible touching.

Romeo, who has residences in both California and Fort Covington, was also charged with second-degree sexual abuse and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, all misdemeanors.

Malone-based State Police say the retired 67-year-old teacher abused three boys — ages 7, 10 and 12 — locally over a period of time.

Romeo, who has family ties to the area, is listed on the California Sex Offender Registry, based on his past conviction for lewd or lascivious acts with a teen.

Police said he molested a 14-year-old girl in Illinois in the late 1990s.

Romeo allegedly did not notify California or New York officials when he moved to this area, and he is not listed on the New York Sex Offender Registry.

It was unclear Tuesday when he relocated to Fort Covington from Orange County.

He had reportedly taught out-of-state for several years but has since retired.

Local authorities are continuing to investigate the alleged abuse and said additional charges are likely.

Romeo was still being held at Franklin County Jail Tuesday afternoon, unable to post $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond. He is due in court at a later date to face the charges.

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at:

avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com