Cops: Sewanhaka High School guard sexually assaulted 15-year-old girl

A former Sewanhaka High School security guard has been charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl, Nassau County police said.
Daniel Valenzuela, 22, was arrested at his Elmont home Thursday and charged with first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree criminal sexual act, police said in a statement Friday night.

Valenzuela was arraigned Friday in First District Court in Hempstead. Court records show his bail was set at $15,000 bond or $7,500 cash. He had not met bail following the hearing, records said.

Valenzuela’s attorney could not be reached for comment.

Police said Valenzuela assaulted the girl multiple times between June and October while he worked as a security guard at Sewanhaka. Officials did not say, however, if Valenzuela’s alleged victim was a student at the school.

School officials said Valenzuela stopped working for the Sewanhaka Central High School District on Oct. 1 and that none of the alleged assaults are believed to have occurred on school grounds.

"This individual had been vetted and cleared through all of the rigorous steps in our hiring process and we are appalled by these disturbing allegations," Schools Superintendent James Grossane said in a statement. "We have conducted our own internal investigation on this matter and at this time have found no evidence to suggest any criminal activity took place on school grounds."

Grossane said he could not provide additional details because the investigation was ongoing. He said the district would cooperate with Nassau County police "in any way necessary."

Detectives urge anyone with information or who may have been victimized by Valenzuela to call detectives with the Special Victim Squad at 516-573-4022, or Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. Callers will remain anonymous, police said.