By Michael V. Cusenza
Two City Department of Education employees have been charged with having sexual relationships with students, according to published reports and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
Jamall Russell, 29, a teaching assistant at PS 97 in Woodhaven, allegedly had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl at another school for a few months, according to Gothamist. She is now 15, police said.
Cops learned of the relationship from the alleged victim’s mother.
“This alleged behavior is very troubling and completely unacceptable,” DOE spokeswoman Jenna Lyle said in an email to Gothamist. “This employee is suspended pending the outcome of the arrest and if convicted, we will pursue their termination. There is nothing more important than the safety and well-being of our students.”
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Melissa Rockensies, 32, has been charged with rape for an alleged sexual relationship with a 14-year-old male student while she was the dean at Corona Arts & Science Academy.
Melissa Rockensies, 32, has been charged with rape for an alleged sexual relationship with a 14-year-old male student.
Rockensies was arraigned on a complaint charging her with rape in the second and third degrees, criminal sexual act in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child. If convicted, Rockensies faces up to seven years in prison.
According to the charges:
Between July 1, 2022, and Aug. 31, 2022, Rockensies was the dean at Corona Arts & Science Academy and one of the victim’s summer school teachers and counselors.
Beginning in July 2022, Rockensies engaged the 14-year-old victim in sexually related conversations via social media.
In September 2022, Rockensies began to meet with the victim on a regular basis inside her vehicle near the school, where she engaged him in sexual activity.
The investigation revealed social media messages between Rockensies and the victim that discussed the sexual relationship.
“These disturbing allegations represent an abuse of authority and a betrayal of the trust students and parents place in their schools,” Katz said. “On behalf of the victim and his family, and the overwhelming majority of teachers committed to the education and well-being of our children, we will seek to achieve justice in this case.”
