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Teacher sex abuse case advances after hearing

The case of a Warren County School District teacher who allegedly had inappropriate conduct with a district student is moving to the Court of Common Pleas.

Rachel E. Lasecki, 26, of Warren, is charged with sexual contact with student, aggravated indecent assault – without consent, unlawful contact with minor – sexual offenses, two counts of corruption of minors, and indecent assault – without consent.

A preliminary hearing in the case was held Wednesday afternoon before District Judge Raymond Zydonik.

The alleged victim was the only witness who presented testimony at the hearing.

According to the student, she and Lasecki developed a friendship in September 2021.

They would meet at various places – for lunch, “at the playground,” and “just talk or go for drives”“just the two of us.”

She testified that they would sometimes smoke marijuana.

On one occasion in October, they went to a location not far from the alleged victim’s home, she said.

“She picked me up near my house” at 11 or 11:30 at night, she said. They drove, then walked, to a grassy spot, sat down and “smoked marijuana” from a vape pen.

She said it started raining. They searched for the keys for a long time. When they returned to the car – “we were soaked,” she said.

She described how Lasecki allegedly had sexual contact with her.

Assistant District Attorney Casey Strickland asked the alleged victim if she ever consented to any kind of sexual contact.

“No,” she said.

The alleged victim said Lasecki told her she was sorry as she drove her home.

Attorney Elizabeth Feronti, representing Lasecki, asked the alleged victim about her relationship with the defendant after the alleged incident.

The alleged victim said they talked the next day.

“Did you continue to be friends?” Feronti asked.

“Yes,” the alleged victim said.

She said she didn’t tell anyone about the incident until months later when she told a school social worker.

The object of a preliminary hearing is to determine if there is enough evidence to support that a crime was committed and that it is likely that the defendant is the person who committed it. It is not a determination of guilt.

Zydonik said all charges would be bound over to the Court of Common Pleas.

Bail remained at $25,000 unsecured.

Arraignment is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 15.

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