At-Risk Youth Instructor Arrested for Endangering

A former employee of a Central New York facility for at-risk youth is accused of watching sexually explicit videos in his office with some of the students.

The New York State Justice Center for Protection of People with Special Needs says 54 year old Derrick Lawrence of Preble, who taught automobile repair at the William George Agency, is charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child and four counts of harassment.

Lawrence has not been at the Agency for several months.

In addition to allegedly showing inappropriate videos, Lawrence is accused of making offensive comments to students.  According to accounts in The Ithaca Journal, Lawrence allegedly repeatedly called young people “criminals” and threatened to burn one of the students.

Lawrence was released following his arraignment in Town of Dryden Court and ordered back in court next month.