Teacher at Eastern Suffolk BOCES accused of sexual relationship with student

The superintendent of Eastern Suffolk BOCES said in a statement to News 12, "The teacher will be placed on home assignment and all classes will move forward with qualified BOCES instructors to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted start of the school year for all students."

Caroline Flynn and Krista McNally

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Aug 30, 2023, 9:32 AM

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Updated 479 days ago

Police say an Eastern Suffolk BOCES teacher has been arrested for engaging in a sexual relationship with a student in 2020.

Following an investigation, William Sperl, 60, was arrested at Eastern Suffolk BOCES located on Martha Avenue in Bellport around noon Tuesday.

Sperl is currently an audio production teacher for the Riverhead campus of Eastern Suffolk BOCES. He was engaged in a sexual relationship with a female student in 2020 while the student was a minor, according to authorities.

“All the incidents occurred during her time frame as a junior, when she was 16 years old, between the months of June and October of 2020,” says Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison.

Sperl, of Deer Park, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to four counts of rape and seven counts of criminal sex act – all felonies.

Harrison says the acts happened in multiple places, including on the campus of BOCES in Bellport, several beaches in Suffolk County and one at Sperl’s residence in Deer Park.

The superintendent of Eastern Suffolk BOCES said in a statement to News 12, "The teacher will be placed on home assignment and all classes will move forward with qualified BOCES instructors to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted start of the school year for all students."

Sperl’s attorney, John LoTurco, says his client is a “pillar of his community” and has been a deacon of his church for 17 years.

“And as of right now, we are going to thoroughly investigate these allegations,” LoTurco says

The attorney also says Sperl’s wife was in the courtroom to support her husband of 30 years. He says she is shocked and fully supports her husband against the allegations.

A stay away order of protection was ordered for the victim.

One person, who did not give his name but says he knows Sperl, was emotional leaving the courtroom.

“That’s right, he’s a pedophile and deserves to be sent away for the rest of his life,” the individual said.

Sperl’s bail was set at $200,000 cash or $300,000 bond.

His attorney tells News 12 they believe he will make bond.

Sperl is due back in court on Sept. 1.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on this case to contact the Special Victims Section at 631-852-6361.

STATEMENT FROM THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE