School Security Guard Charged With Child Sex Crime, Fired: Bergen Cops

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A school security guard was fired after he was accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in Bergen County, according to authorities.

Everald Palmer, 29, a guard at Paterson's Eastside High School, was arrested and charged in connection with the sexual assault on or about Feb. 2 in New Milford, authorities confirmed.

"The suspect was immediately terminated last week and will never work at Paterson Public Schools again," Paterson Schools Superintendent Eileen Shafer said.

Palmer, of New Milford, was charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, and was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending an initial court appearance, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.

"I want to thank District Director of School Safety Dalton Price, Eastside High School Principal of Operations Edgard Nieves, and District Security Supervisor Robert Silva for immediately launching an investigation after the first notification of the inappropriate contact last Thursday," Superintendent Shafer said. "Their action and cooperation with law enforcement helped the authorities make the arrest."

"We will continue to provide the student with support services as they are needed," Shafer added.