BROOKLYN — A former East Williamsburg assistant principle was found guilty of raping a 17-year-old girl, the Brooklyn District Attorney announced Monday.
Former principal William Abreu, 47, was at Progress High School for Professional Careers on Grand Street in 2009 when he used the immigration status of a 17-year-old graduate working in the office during the summer to pressure her into sleeping with him.
“This defendant was an assistant principal who violated the trust of a vulnerable teenager when he coerced her to engage in an unwanted sex act using her immigration status as leverage,” District Attorney Ken Thompson said in a statement. “This young woman had the courage to speak out against this abuse. He’s now been held accountable for his deplorable actions.”
Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge Vincent Del Giudice found Abreu guilty of third-degree rape on Monday.
Abreu, who lived in Jamaica, Queens, was fired from his position in 2013 following a probe by the Special Commissioner of Investigation by the New York City School District.
"If you don't allow me to touch you, I will have to call Immigration," Abreu told the girl, according to the report.
The former principal also stole $1,500 from the girl’s mother after promising to get an immigration lawyer for her, according to investigators.
Abreu then passed the girl off to another school employee, Juan Martinez, according to the report.
Martinez, who worked at an after-school program, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse charges and received 10 years of probation.
Martinez also has “serious health issues,” sources said.
Abreu is facing up to four years in prison when he is sentenced on Nov. 29.
His lawyer did not return an immediate request for comment.
