Crime & Safety

Gym Teacher Pleads Not Guilty to 8-Count Indictment

The judge set bail at $25,000 bond.

Thomas Sheppard, a four-year Westhampton Beach gym teacher who was charged with a felony in March for allegedly recording students in a gym locker room was arraigned before Judge Barbara Kahn in Riverhead on Monday morning on an 8-count indictment handed down by the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.

Sheppard, according to the District Attorney's office, pleaded not guilty to one count of unlawful surveillance in the second degree, a felony, and 7 misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Bail was set at $25,000 bond; however, the DA's office requested that the bond be set at $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond due to the nature of the crime.

The judge also issued orders of protection, forbidding Sheppard, 27, of Speonk, to contact any of the girls involved in the incident.

Sheppard, who is represented by attorney Peter Brill, was arrested on March 20 on a charge of unlawful surveillance, a felony, for placing his cell phone in the girl's locker room at Westhampton Beach Middle School while students were getting changed.

Sheppard, who is free on bond, is due back in court on May 23.

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