Forest Hills Teacher Nabbed By Cops In Underage Internet Sex Sting -CONTINUED FROM PG. 6- alleged behavior, sexual predators continue to be relentless in searching the Internet for victims,” Brown said in a statement. “Do not let your child become one of them. Parents must monitor their children’s online activities to ensure that they are not being lured into dangerous situations.” Between Feb. 12 and Mar. 25, law enforcement sources said, Khan allegedly sent numerous instant messages to the purported 14-yearold girl; prosecutors said many of the messages included graphic sexual content. In one instance, authorities noted, Khan allegedly invited the teenager to meet him for a sexual encounter. The suspect came to the location within the 109th Precinct’s confines last Wednesday to meet with the girl. Upon arriving, he was reportedly met by a detective posing as the teenager. Prosecutors said Khan and the detective talked briefly, and then he offered to take her to his car. Moments later, he was apprehended by other officers. In statements made to police, law enforcement sources said, Khan allegedly admitted to exchanging messages with the purported girl about having sex in a hotel, but that he planned to only take her out for pizza during their first encounter. Det. Paul Byrne of the NYPD Major Case Team of Vice Enforcement conducted the investigation under the supervision of Lt. Marcus Morales and Sgt. Sammy Melisi and the overall supervision of Deputy Inspector Anthony Favale, coordinator of vice enforcement, and Chief Thomas Purtell, chief of the Organized Crime Control Bureau. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jeanine R. Diehl and Senior Assistant District Attorney Kateri A. Gasper of the DA’s Special Proceedings Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Anthony M. Communiello, bureau chief, Oscar W. Ruiz, deputy bureau chief, and Robert D. Alexander, Computer Crimes Unit chief. Big 6 Residents Demand Busing To Local School At CEC 24 Meeting In Woodside walking route to the school, leaving many parents are unhappy. Since the waiver was eliminated, “all of a sudden,” according to CEC District 24 President Nick Comaianni, kids walking to P.S. 229 have been put in danger. To provide a safe alternative, the DOE mapped out a walking path for students. In response to parents complaints that the route was unsafe, Comaianni and board members walked the first desired route, and “as we were walking one kid almost got hit” he said. A second walking path was created, and according to parents, the current DOE route which crosses Queens Boulevard is not safe for young children to walk either. At last Tuesday’s meeting, Comaianni asked Robinson if there had been any change on the variance issue and reiterated he would like to see a safety waiver granted. The previous route asked kids to cross through a dangerous BQE offramp and regularly congested Laurel Hill Boulevard. Parents can apply to the DOE for a safety variance that would allow their kids bus seats, but have been denied, according to Comaianni. “I wouldn’t let personally my kids walk that route,” he said. When asked why variances were denied, Comaianni said “they never gave us a concrete answer.” He added he feels good reason has not been given by DOE or OPT. “It’s like pleading the Fifth,” he said, They stuck to their response. It’s policy, policy, policy.” When Robinson was questioned by council members about the variances being denied she said, “we want to make sure kids are safe on school buses.” “When one is not available, we provide a pedestrian path.” According to Robinson, the variance denial has been appealed on three occasions and rejected each time by the state. Other District 24 council members also questioned Robinson on the reasoning for the decision to ask children to walk to school and voiced similar frustration over the lack of explanation “We heard your reasoning, and it’s not a reason,” Bill Kregler said. “It’s an excuse.” Dmytro Fedkowskyj, a former Queens representative on the Panel for Educational Policy, said at the meeting, “the logic is not there.” He was frustrated by the lack of action and added he feels the safety of students remains a concern. “It’s unacceptable nothing has happened in two years,” he said. “Students have been hit walking to school.” Fedkowskyj served on the PEP from 2008-2013. In response, Robinson told the group she was there to get feedback from the community and “it’s not within my power make a decision this evening.” She added, “we can revisit it.” Several members also voiced their displeasure over buses that will not pick up Big Six students despite arriving at PS 229 half-full. Robinson told council members and parents in attendance that bus routes are audited by DOE “at least three times a year” to provide the correct amount of seats for students in every district across the city. She further explained it can be difficult to know what districts are in need of more seats, and which are not used to capacity because it depends on quick reports from drivers and bus companies. She also made clear that most general education students share buses with kids from other schools and that significant variation can exist in numbers of riders. This is because it is not a fixed number throughout the school year. Some days kids get rides from their parents to school, or miss the miss the bus entirely. This leaves open seats on that day, giving parents the impression the bus wasn’t full, but that same student still is guaranteed a school bus seat and may occupy the seat the day after. According to normal DOE regulations, students less than a mile from their school are not eligible for busing unless granted a waiver, even if buses to their school aren’t at capacity. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 8- TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014 • 34 Long-Time Prosecutor Honored In Kew Gardens An executive member of the Queens District Attorney’s office was honored by Queens Borough President Melinda Katz during a ceremony in Kew Gardens last Friday, Mar. 28. Executive Assistant District Attorney Eileen M. Sullivan, who has served the Queens DA’s office for over 20 years, is responsible for developing and implementing initiatives to combat domestic violence on behalf of District Attorney Richard A. Brown. Members of the borough president’s staff honored Sullivan (seated, holding proclamation) as part of the office’s celebration of Women’s History Month. Among those pictured are Katz and Deputy Queens Borough President Leroy Comrie. VISIT US ON THE WEB! www.timesnewsweekly.com
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