Crime Nearby: School Employees Behaving Badly

Story by Jason Molinet

Employees at three Long Island school districts were led before the cameras in cuffs last week after being arrested for inappropriate incidents involving students.

The most serious of the charges involved Freeport middle school principal John O'Mard, 44, of Freeport, who allegedly took part in sexual acts with a 16-year-old boy, Nassau County police said. It is believed that O'Mard, who had a criminal record, also used fake fingerprints to land his current job.

Westhampton Beach middle school teacher Thomas Sheppard, 27, of Speonk, was accused of hiding a video camera in the girls locker room, New York State Police said.

Wyandanch High School assistant principal Craig Cohen, 47, of Northport, was charged with sexting students and staff, Suffolk County police said. Police claim Cohen sent several inappropriate texts from his cell phone to students and faculty members between February and March.