GHS employee faces sex charges - GP 04/07/10

[Greenwich]

A special education assistant at Greenwich High School was arraigned
in court on Wednesday on charges that he sexually assaulted a juvenile
male.

Andrew Knapp, 28, of 40 Riverside Ave., Riverside has been placed on
administrative leave with pay by the Greenwich Public Schools after he
surrendered to police on an arrest warrant March 29. He has been
charged with fourth degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a
minor.

At the request of the town of Greenwich, Superior Court Judge Gary
White imposed an order keeping Mr. Knapp from entering the grounds of
any school in town and the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich.

A plea has not been entered, but Mr. Knapp’s attorney Elliot Warren
denied the charges.

“My client adamantly denies he did anything or would do anything
inappropriate with a minor,” Mr. Warren said, adding that his client
is distraught over the charges. “We expect to prevail in court.”

No details about the alleged victim, except that he is a juvenile
male, or the nature of the assault, which reportedly took place in
town, have been made public. Judge White renewed an order sealing the
arrest warrant until at least April 21.

Kim Eves, communications director for Greenwich Public Schools, said
no further information about Mr. Knapp’s employment, such as how long
he had been working for the district and what was the exact nature of
his work there, could be made available at this time. She referred to
a statement that Mr. Knapp was on paid administrative leave pending
the investigation as the only comment the district could make right
now.

Sgt. Mark Zuccerella, a member of the police department’s Youth
Division, told the Post on Tuesday that due to the alleged victim’s
age and the nature of the charges, no additional information could be
given about the investigation or the allegations. He did say that the
investigation began in the first months of the year after a complaint
was filed with Greenwich police and involved the participation of
other law enforcement agencies.

Mr. Knapp is free on a $50,000 surety bond. His next court appearance
is scheduled for May 5.