Ex-teacher pleads guilty to sex offenses

Faces up to 23 years in prison for charges tied to relationship with former student

SOUTHINGTON -- A former technology teacher and athletic director at Southington Local Schools on Thursday pleaded guilty to five felony charges tied to an inappropriate relationship with a former student.

Craig N. Lefkowitz, 51, of Beal Street NW, Warren, appeared with his attorney John Juhasz before Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Ronald J. Rice, who after the hearing revoked the defendant's bond. Deputies led the former educator away from the courtroom in handcuffs.

He will be sentenced by Rice after he undergoes a background investigation conducted by the adult probation department.

After pleading guilty to four counts of sexual battery and one count of compelling prostitution, Lefkowitz faces a possible maximum 23-year prison sentence and mandatory five-year parole after he is released.

Although the prison sentence is not mandatory, Rice will have the final say.

Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Gabriel Wildman said he plans to write a memorandum to the court asking for a prison sentence for Lefkowitz.

"The victim has been having a tough time," Wildman said, noting the man is now 33 years old and the offenses occurred more than 15 years ago while he was a student in Southington.

Gabriel said the defendant had engaged in a continuing course of sexual conduct with the victim, showering him with gifts and privileges, including money.

Lefkowitz, who resigned his positions with the school district, also will be labeled a Tier 3 sex offender, which means he will have to register his address with the local sheriff's office four times per year for the rest of his life.

Rice said as a convicted felon, Lefkowitz will not be able to vote, serve on a jury, hold office and probably will have his state teaching license revoked.

The Southington Board of Education on June 24 accepted Lefkowitz's resignation as the district's athletic director, computer teacher, junior high volleyball coach and Spirit Club adviser.

Lefkowitz was charged in a 10-count felony indictment on June 30. Juhasz had withdrawn his request for an evidence suppression hearing prior to the plea hearing on Thursday. A jury trial had been scheduled for Nov. 8 in Rice's courtroom.

Lefkowitz, who has been licensed to teach since 1996, had been employed by the Southington Local Schools for 21 years.