CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — A former teacher has been charged with sexually assaulting an Ocean City High School student in 2016.
Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland and Ocean City Police Chief Jay Prettyman announced the arrest of Ricardo Valle, 34.
On Feb. 27, the Seabrook, Texas, resident was charged with two counts of sexual assault, one count of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of criminal sexual contact.
The charges were the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Units and Ocean City Police Department after it was reported that Valle allegedly sexually assaulted a student.
Valle was arrested in Texas by members of the Seabrook Police Department and was being held at the Harris County Jail pending extradition hearings.
In a letter to parents and staff Tuesday monring, Board of Education President Joseph A. Clark acknowledged the investigation. He said Valle has not taught in the district or lived in the community in the past five years, nor do the allegations involve a current staff member or any current students.
“There is an ongoing investigation by the authorities which the district is now aiding in. As we cooperate with their investigation efforts, the administration cannot release any specific information at this time. As soon as the information becomes public, we will inform our community,” he said. “Anyone with questions should contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office.”