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Judge To Rule On Validity Of Sex Charges Against Two Former Paramus Catholic Staffers

Artur Sopel of River Edge and Michael Sumulikoski of Elmwood Park were indicted on alleged sexual misconduct during a school trip to Europe.

 

A judge is expected to decide on July 9 whether the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office has the authority to charge two former Paramus Catholic High School faculty members with alleged sexual misconduct during a trip the men chaperoned to Germany, NorthJersey.com reported.

Artur Sopel of River Edge and Michael Sumulikoski of Elmwood Park were arrested on April 5, 2011 after three teenage girls alleged that they had engaged in sexual conduct with the pair during the February trip. An additional girl, a former student at Paramus Catholic, came forward later stating she engaged in sexual activities with Sopel in spring of 2010.

The two men pled not guilty to the charges following their arrest and were indicted by the Bergen County Grand Jury on 25 counts.

The indictment charges Sopel with five counts of endangering the welfare of a child and 12 counts of sexual assault, which are second degree crimes each carrying a maximum term of 10 years in prison. He is also charged with two counts of witness tampering, a third degree crime carrying a maximum term of five years incarceration.

Sumilikoski's indictment includes three counts of endangering the welfare of a child and three counts of sexual assault, which are second degree crimes each carrying a maximum term of 10 years in prison.

Defense attorneys Philip De Vencentes (representing Sumulikoski) and Ray Flood (for Sopel) argued that the county does not have jurisdiction over an alledged incident that occured overseas, all while maintaining their clients innocence.

The prosecution counter argued that they have the right because both men were granted supervisory authority as trip chaperones in New Jersey.

Superior Court Judge James Guida's ruling is expected on July 9.

Prior to their arrests, Sopel was the vice president of operations at the school, and Sumilikoski served as a substitute teacher and assistant football coach. They had both been removed from their positions by the Archdiocese of Newark.

Related Topics: Michael Sumulikoski, Paramus Catholic High School, and arthur sopel

dunkin mcnuggets

11:22 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012

everyone stop being nosey assholes

Reply

Dennis Martinez

7:29 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Thank you dunkin mcnuggets for your enlightening comments. While I believe everyone is innocent until proven quilty, as the father of 2 daughters including one who is a teen,I am always drawn to articles such as this. I hope for everyone's sake the allegations are not true.

Reply

Chris Antonelli

4:22 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012

You know this is going to be appealed either way as far as it can go. I, like Mr Martinez, am in the same boat. You would like to think that these girls got mad and made it up, confess and learn a lesson. That would be the best case scenario. Unfortunately, that rarely is the case. If the accusations are true, lets hope justice runs it course and the girls come away with minimal psychological damage. But since I do not know all of the facts, I will not pass judgement on either side.

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JAFO

4:35 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012

It will be very interesting to see how this plays out. Also, keep in mind that it's possible this was a consensual "relationship", but given that these guys were in a position of authority over the girls, it became illegal and has to be prosecuted. Had these guys not worked for the school, and it was in fact "consensual", no charges could be brought.

Reply

Nice Korean Boy From Fort Lee

7:34 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012

This stuff would never happen in Fort Lee or South Korea.

Reply

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