A former high school teacher, Lydia Pinto, 38, of Newton, Pennsylvania, has been charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault and two counts of second-degree sexual assault. The charges stem from an email received by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office in October, which reported an inappropriate relationship between Pinto and a student. The email alleged that the sexual relationship began when the student was between the ages of 14 and 15 and continued until the victim’s senior year of high school.
The victim, who is now an adult, was interviewed by detectives in late October. The investigation revealed that the sexual conduct took place in Raritan Borough, although specific details regarding the gender of the victim and the exact location within the borough were not disclosed.
Lydia Pinto, who also coached girls’ field hockey and lacrosse at Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School, was taken into custody without incident on November 8 in Franklin Township. She is currently being held at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald has urged anyone with information about Pinto or other possible assaults to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit or the Raritan Borough Police Department.
Lydia Pinto’s involvement in student activities, including her role as a driver’s education teacher and coach, has been noted. Payroll records indicate that Pinto joined the BRRHS Pension and Annuity Fund in 2008 and earned a salary of $71,658 as of December 2021.