Engaged Bronx Prep Teacher Accused Of Sex With 16-Year-Old Student

Richard Hovan, 30, was an engaged MIT wizard, math teacher at the Riverdale Country School, and now, accused of carrying on sexual acts with a 16-year-old student.

According to the New York Post, Hovan had engaged in sexual acts with the 16-year-old twice at his Chelsea apartment that he bought with this then-fiancé, Marina Bontkowski. The Bronx private school fired the teacher when they learned of the allegations last May.

A relationship between the teacher and student began when the teen was 15-years-old. According to prosecutor Shanda Strain, improper emails began at 15-years-old and heightened to illicit romps when she turned 16-years-old.

A source living in the same Chelsea apartment as Hovan told the New York Post that she had seen a young girl come back to the teacher's apartment, even claiming that Hovan's fiancé almost walked in on them. I saw the girl climb out of the fire escape from his apartment and hide there, the source told the Post. Police obtained video footage of the student leaving the apartment.

A source continued to tell the Post that when Bontkowski found out about her future husbands escapades with the 16-year-old she called the cops.

Hovan was brought before a judge on Monday where he was charged with having sexual encounters with a student. The former teacher is denying the allegations, and pleaded not guilty to criminal sex act and child endangerment charges reported the Associated Press. Hovan was set free on a $25,000 bond.

Head of the Riverdale Country School, Dominic Randolph, released a statement that they were deeply saddened by the events and reassure that they are taking the necessary and proper steps to protect students.