South Huntington teacher accused of having sex with student

A South Huntington high school teacher is accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with one of his students, a 16-year-old girl, authorities said Thursday.

Brian Dreher, 41, was charged Thursday with third-degree rape, third-degree criminal sexual act and endangering the welfare of a child, Suffolk police said.

The social studies teacher at Walt Whitman High School was placed on administrative leave, authorities said.

Police said Dreher was arrested Thursday morning at his home in Huntington Station. Dreher’s family could not be reached.

The teacher is barred from the high school campus during the investigation, according to a statement posted on the school district’s website.

“Our school district family is very concerned by these allegations,” wrote Superintendent David Bennardo. “This is currently an active police investigation and as a result, we are not privy to any additional information. However, the health, safety, and welfare of the South Huntington learning family remains paramount in our minds, and we will do anything and everything to work with authorities in the appropriate manner.”

Dreher pleaded not guilty Friday at his arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip. He was ordered held on $25,000 cash bail, or $50,000 bond

His attorney Brian Griffin of Garden City told News 12 Long Island that Dreher had worked as a teacher for 18 years “with distinction.”

“We intend to seriously defend the charges,” Griffin said.

Other details about the case were not released Thursday night.

Detectives ask anyone with information to contact the special victims section at 631-852-6531.

With Mark Morales