Retired Summit School Theater Director Charged With Sex Crimes

SUMMIT, NJ — A retired Summit middle school theater director was charged Friday for sexual contact with a student at the school five years ago, officials said.

Ronald Wells, 69, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated criminal sexual contact, and criminal sexual contact, according to acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay Ruotolo and Summit Police Chief Andrew Bartolotti.

Officials say the incident in question took place in 2016 in a private third-floor room of the Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School.

According to Special Victims Unit Supervisor and Assistant Prosecutor Caroline Lawlor, who is prosecuting the case, Wells allegedly asked a student to join him after school hours to model costumes for a school play, and "between costume changes, began touching the student in a sexual manner," according to a release.

Wells, a Summit resident, was arrested without incident on Friday pending a first appearance and detention hearing scheduled to take place in Union County Superior Court.

Lawlor said she intended to file a petition to keep Wells detained pending the adjudication of the case against him.

“No child should be exposed to this kind of criminal conduct in our schools, especially from a person entrusted with their education,” said Ruotolo. “I am grateful that the Summit Police Department and my office were able to collaborate to bring this suspect to justice.”

Chief Bartolotti added, “I understand how difficult it is for a community when something like this happens so close to home. We will continue to work with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office to investigate further allegations and encourage any additional victims to please come forward.”

Convictions on second-degree criminal offenses are commonly punishable by terms of 5 to 10 years in state prison.

Anyone with information about this or similar incidents involving defendant Wells is being urged to contact Summit Police Department Detective Sgt. Ryan Peters at 908-273-5871.

Internet Discussions

Meanwhile, Reddit users discussed the matter, referring to a since deleted post about a separate (and anonymous) accusation. And on Facebook, residents responded to the arrest and to a letter from the district here.

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