Delaware News

Former Seaford High School Employee Indicted For Child Sexual Abuse 

Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | News | Date Posted: Tuesday, March 14, 2023


Navy blue background featuring the Delaware state seal in the center

DOJ, DSP seeking additional victims  

A former Seaford High School employee faces six felony child sexual abuse charges under an indictment returned by a Sussex County jury, Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Tuesday.

Jerry Sodano, 52, of Bridgeville was charged Monday following an investigation into allegations of an illegal sexual relationship with a student at Seaford High School, where Sodano worked at the time as an athletic trainer. The State’s indictment alleges that between August 2016 and January 2017, Sodano repeatedly and illegally engaged in sexual activity with the 17-year-old victim.

“It bears repeating: nothing matters more than protecting our kids,” said Attorney General Jennings. “These are gravely serious allegations. When they were brought to our attention, our office and the Delaware State Police acted swiftly to investigate, to support the victim, and to protect students from any further contact with the Defendant. We are asking for the community’s assistance in our investigation and will continue to coordinate with Delaware State Police and the Seaford School District to ensure justice and student safety.”

Sodano was indicted on five counts of Sexual Abuse of a Child by a Person in a Position of Trust, Authority, or Supervision 1st Degree, and one count of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, all of which are Class B Violent Felonies. Sodano was given $78,000 cash bail, which was posted, and GPS monitoring.

Sodano is not actively working around students; the Seaford School District has cooperated fully with the State’s investigation and has placed him on administrative leave.

Given the nature of Sodano’s relationship with the victim, the DOJ and law enforcement continue to investigate the possibility that Sodano may have other victims. Anyone with knowledge of these allegations or knowledge of any other crimes is asked to contact Det. Lingo of Delaware State Police at (302) 752-3864.

Sodano’s indictment was secured by prosecutors in the DOJ’s Sussex County office following an investigation led by the DSP’s Troop 4 Major Crimes Unit.

image_printPrint


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.

Former Seaford High School Employee Indicted For Child Sexual Abuse 

Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | News | Date Posted: Tuesday, March 14, 2023


Navy blue background featuring the Delaware state seal in the center

DOJ, DSP seeking additional victims  

A former Seaford High School employee faces six felony child sexual abuse charges under an indictment returned by a Sussex County jury, Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Tuesday.

Jerry Sodano, 52, of Bridgeville was charged Monday following an investigation into allegations of an illegal sexual relationship with a student at Seaford High School, where Sodano worked at the time as an athletic trainer. The State’s indictment alleges that between August 2016 and January 2017, Sodano repeatedly and illegally engaged in sexual activity with the 17-year-old victim.

“It bears repeating: nothing matters more than protecting our kids,” said Attorney General Jennings. “These are gravely serious allegations. When they were brought to our attention, our office and the Delaware State Police acted swiftly to investigate, to support the victim, and to protect students from any further contact with the Defendant. We are asking for the community’s assistance in our investigation and will continue to coordinate with Delaware State Police and the Seaford School District to ensure justice and student safety.”

Sodano was indicted on five counts of Sexual Abuse of a Child by a Person in a Position of Trust, Authority, or Supervision 1st Degree, and one count of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, all of which are Class B Violent Felonies. Sodano was given $78,000 cash bail, which was posted, and GPS monitoring.

Sodano is not actively working around students; the Seaford School District has cooperated fully with the State’s investigation and has placed him on administrative leave.

Given the nature of Sodano’s relationship with the victim, the DOJ and law enforcement continue to investigate the possibility that Sodano may have other victims. Anyone with knowledge of these allegations or knowledge of any other crimes is asked to contact Det. Lingo of Delaware State Police at (302) 752-3864.

Sodano’s indictment was secured by prosecutors in the DOJ’s Sussex County office following an investigation led by the DSP’s Troop 4 Major Crimes Unit.

image_printPrint


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.