Erasmus Hall Teacher Charged in Student Sex Abuse Case
FLATBUSH – An Erasmus Hall High School teacher has been arraigned on a 25-count indictment charging him with sexually abusing a 16-year old boy on multiple occasions, District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced yesterday.
Mervyn Affoon, 66, a business teacher at Erasmus Hall, started by allegedly groping a student three times in February 2017—one in a classroom and twice in an elevator. Then, between March and June of last year, it is alleged that Affoon and the defendant engaged in sex acts multiple times at the teacher’s East Flatbush apartment.
The investigation into the alleged acts began after the victim reported the abuse to his mother in October of 2017 and was handled by the Brooklyn Special Victims Squad.
“This defendant’s alleged actions are an incredible betrayal of trust. Teachers should protect their students and schools should be safe havens. There is no place in our society for this type of predatory behavior and unacceptable abuse of authority,” said District Attorney Gonzalez.
Affoon could spend up to seven years in prison if convicted. He appeared in court with to former students as supporters, claiming to be falsely accused, the Daily News reported.
“The top charge is based solely on the word of the complainant who is lying,” said Mark Pollard, Affoon’s lawyer. “This case is about an $11 million extortion lawsuit… These allegations are totally false.”
Affoon’s bail was set at $25,000 for charges of forcible touching, third-degree sexual abuse, endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree criminal sexual act, sexual misconduct, and promoting a sexual performance by a child
An indictment is merely a formal charge and not an indication of a defendant’s guilt. Affoon will reappear in court on May 15th.
