St Johns Exec Charged with Sexual Abuse, by Nicholas Briano, The Wave, November 12, 2010

St. John’s Exec Charged with Sexual Abuse

By Nicholas Briano
The Wave
November 12, 2010

http://www.rockawave.com/news/2010-11-12/Front_Page/St_Johns_Exec_Charged_With_Sexual_Abuse.html

St. John’s Residence for Boys’ longtime executive director, Brother Tom Trager, has been arraigned on charges that he sexually abused a 16-year-old resident on several occasions since late last summer, according to court documents.

Brother Tom Trager has been charged with sexual abuse of a former resident. Trager, 72, executive director of the Rockaway Park home for more than 30 years, has been charged with two counts of third degree sexual abuse, five counts of third degree criminal sexual act and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. He had allegedly abused the teen since August 2009 in locations that included Trager's apartment and car, court papers allege.

The St. John's Residence for Boys, located at 144 Beach 111 Street, is a live-in facility and school for troubled children and teens that have been categorized as a "person in need of support" by the courts.

In 2007 Trager celebrated 50 years as a Marianist brother and is a considered a prominent and influential figure by many in the Rockaway community.

Trager was arraigned last Thursday at Queens Criminal Court after being escorted out of the home. He pled not guilty and bail was set at $15,000. He is due back in court on December 6.

St. John's Residence for Boys and Trager's attorney had no comment.