Quintin Cedeno, Queens, NY, Principal Fired After Several Students Claim He Fondled Them, One Says He Asked for Oral Sex

Quintin Cedeno, Queens, NY, high school principal, fired after several students claim he fondled them and one student said he asked him for oral sex.

Quintin Cedeno, 33, principal of the High School of Construction Trades, Engineering and Architecture, located in Queens, NY, was fired Wednesday after he was accused of fondling and soliciting oral sex from several of his students. A guidance counselor reportedly told investigators that a 15-year-ol student accused the principal of asking him for oral sex. According the NY Daily News, the principal allegedly propositioned the student by sending him text messages and reminded him that he'd bought him a T-Mobile Sidekick cell phone. What's troubling is that other students have come forward and have reportedly told officials from the office of the special commissioner of investigation that Cedeno touched their private parts.

The student's mother told investigators that Cedeno sent more than 100 text messages to her son, including one that said, "All I did for you and you don't want to do for me. You've had a very easy ride so far. If everything stops then it all stops."

One 16-year-old student allegedly told Cedeno that he saw him as a father figure and asked the principal why he hit his genitals. Cedeno told the boy he was joking, the student told investigators. Another student said Cedeno, who began his career as a math teacher in 2003, offered to buy him "anything" if he let Cedeno perform oral sex on him.

Cedeno, who was making $140,074, said he never called students after 9 p.m. He had no explanation when investigators showed him records of 37 calls to one student from September through November 2008, including one at 9:41 p.m. that lasted 82 minutes. He also allegedly sent the student 126 text messages. Source: NY Daily News

Cedeno has denied the allegations and reportedly told investigators he never offered to purchase gifts for students and he denied ever asking them for sex. He reportedly said any reference to his genitals was done in jest. Why would an adult joke in such a manner with students? Isn't he supposed to be a role model, especially since he is the principal of their school? The matter has been referred to the Queens district attorney's office.

Photo credit:  Quintin Cedeno, Fariella/NY Daily News