Crime & Safety
Elementary Teacher Charged with Sex Crime
After a two-month investigation, a Novi elementary teacher, who lives in Troy, was charged with criminal sexual conduct.
A popular fifth-grade teacher at Novi Meadows Elementary school faces criminal sexual conduct charges for allegedly having inappropriate contact with two female students, ages 10 and all.
Tom Peronis, 44, of Troy, was arraigned Friday in 52-1 District Court on second-degree criminal sexual conduct charges. Magistrate Andra Richardson set bond at $10,000, 10 percent cash/surety bond, Hometownlife.com and WDIV-TV report.
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Peronis has since posted bond and has been released, according to reports.
The charge is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
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The Novi Police Department charged Peronis after a two-month investigation. Novi police interviewed the two alleged victims, and also cooperated with authorities in Troy, who were also investigating allegations against Peronis, according to Novi Police Chief David Malloy.
He has been placed on administrative leave, Novi. Superintendent Steve Matthews said. He described Peronis as a “very good teacher for us” and a “popular teacher.”
“We are ensuring that we review his status in conjunction with Michigan State Tenure Teacher law so that we give him his appropriate rights, but we also want to ensure that we manage the responsibilities of the district appropriately,” Matthews said. “Once we have put everything together, we will make a determination as to his status with the district.”
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Parents have been notified of the charges against Peronis, and the district will continue to update them, Matthews said.
His next court date is set for 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, in front of 52-1 District Judge Robert Bondy.
In 2010, Peronis was arrested by Novi police after a surveillance camera caught him taking money – less than $20 – from an envelope in the school mail room. Peronis, who earned $85,000 a year at the time, reportedly said he took the money to pay for his lunch, Hometownlife.com said.
He pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor larceny charges. He was fined $440, sentenced to six months probation and ordered to perform 10 hours of community service. The school district suspended him for 20 days without pay, and placed him under strict monitoring, Hometownlife.com reports.
Information about Peronis has been removed from the Novi Community Schools website.
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