possessing a sexual performance by a child on June 18, 2024. Photo credit Suffolk County Police Department
NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A former Long Island teacher accused of sexually abusing students is now facing new charges after police found negatives of nude photographs he allegedly took of a former student, prosecutors announced on Tuesday.
Thomas Bernagozzi, 75, of Babylon, was indicted for multiple counts of
Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, for allegedly possessing five images of a former minor student with his genitals exposed, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced.
“We will not tolerate the exploitation of children in any form,” Tierney said. “The alleged possession of these disturbing images, involving a former student, is a grave violation of trust and an affront to the safety of our community.”
On Dec. 21, 2023, Bernagozzi, a former Bay Shore School District third-grade teacher, was arrested and indicted for course of sexual conduct against a child and sodomy in connection the alleged sexual abuse of two former students during his 30-year-career.
He worked at Mary G. Clarkson Elementary School and Gardiner Manor Elementary School between 1970 and 2000. He was also employed by the Bay Shore Union Free School District until 2003.
Suffolk County Police Department found five images of another student with his genitals exposed, which was taken from inside Bernagozzi’s bedroom during a search of Bernagozzi’s home. According to prosecutors, the child victim was around eight years old when the five images were taken.
A judge could not set bail on the new charges as Bernagozzi was not bail eligible. However, the judge revisited bail on the original indictment. It was set at $1 million cash, $2.5 million bond.
Bernagozzi was previously put on supervised release with a GPS monitor.
He is due back in court on July 12.
Over 40 of Bernagozzi’s former students have filed civil lawsuits against the Bay Shore Union Free School District and him.