Mark Preston Williams, 56, surrendered to authorities yesterday morning. He is accused of institutional sexual assault of a student and other charges in connection with a 17-year-old girl.
A former dean of students at Northeast High School was arrested yesterday for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old student.
Mark Preston Williams, 56, surrendered to authorities yesterday morning, according to a printed statement issued by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. He was charged with institutional sexual assault of a student, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of a minor, endangering the welfare of a child and interference with the custody of a child.
The victim was a girl, but the city prosecutor did not provide further details about the victim or the alleged criminal activity. Calls placed to Northeast High School and the School District of Philadelphia headquarters late yesterday were not returned immediately.
Williams remained in custody late yesterday afternoon and was awaiting formal arraignment. No bail had been set.
According to the DA’s statement, the crime of institutional sexual assault of a student is a third-degree felony that was signed into law in December 2011. The statute prohibits secondary school teachers from sexual activity with any of their students, regardless if a student is of legal consenting age. ••
