Queens, NY – Melissa Rockensies, a 32-year-old New York City public school teacher and dean at Corona Arts & Science Academy, was charged with rape following an alleged sexual relationship with a 14-year-old male student. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the charges today, emphasizing the breach of trust and abuse of authority represented in the allegations.
Rockensies, residing on Cheryl Road in Massapequa, was arraigned on charges of rape in the second and third degrees, criminal sexual act in the second degree, and endangering the welfare of a child. Judge Anthony Battisti has set a court return date of November 24. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
According to the official complaint, between July 1, 2022, and August 31, 2022, Rockensies was involved in the education and counseling of the victim as part of his summer school program. Starting in July 2022, she allegedly initiated sexually related conversations with the young victim through social media.
By September 2022, meetings between Rockensies and the victim became regular, usually taking place inside her vehicle near the school, where sexual activity is reported to have occurred. Social media messages discussing the relationship were found in the investigation, providing crucial evidence.