Teacher Arrested On Sex Charge

NEW BRITAIN (AP) — A New Britain High School teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female student has been arrested at his mother’s home in New Jersey.

Mr Zelina taught chemistry and coached wrestling at Newtown High School until 1998.

John Zelina, 32, of Killingworth tried to run from officers that arrived at the Pemberton, N.J., home Tuesday, but was taken into custody after a short foot chase, police said.

New Jersey police confiscated a computer that Zelina allegedly brought with him from his Connecticut home.

Police believe he fled to New Jersey after learning that a warrant had been issued for his arrest.

New Britain police had investigated sex charges against Zelina in February and issued an arrest warrant on Saturday.

Connecticut law prohibits sex between a teacher and student regardless of the age or consent of the participants.

Zelina is being held in New Jersey as a fugitive. He will be charged with sexual assault once he is extradited to Connecticut, which could take up to 30 days, police said.

School superintendent James Rhinesmith said Zelina was immediately placed on paid leave Wednesday when the district received word of his arrest.

Zelina is the second New Britain High School teacher accused of having sex with a student this year. Kristi Van Buren, 37, was arrested in January, accused of having sex with two male students, ages 17 and 18. Van Buren is facing a string of second-degree sexual assault counts in three towns in connection with the two relationships. She has since resigned from her post at the school.