A teacher in the Mahopac school system is facing misdemeanor public lewdness charges after allegedly pulling his vehicle alongside a woman walking her dog and exposing himself.
In a press release, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said Craig A. Kropa, 39, of New Fairfield, Conn., flashed the woman while she was walking along Lakeshore Drive in the Putnam Lake area of the Town of Patterson on June 10.
The PCSO said the victim alleged Kropa – who teaches Spanish – was driving a gray SUV and made vulgar remarks while exposing himself.
“During the investigation, deputies obtained a witness statement and reviewed video surveillance footage from the area,” the PCSO statement said. “Through investigative efforts conducted by patrol and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Craig A. Kropa was identified as the suspect.”
Kropa was taken into custody in connection with the incident and charged with a class B misdemeanor of public lewdness, arraigned at the Town of Patterson Justice Court and released on his own recognizance.
While not naming Kropa, Mahopac Interim Superintendent of Schools Frank Miele sent a letter to the community acknowledging “a recent arrest involving one of our employees.”
“Please be assured that we are currently cooperating fully with local law enforcement as they conduct their investigation and are taking this matter seriously,” Miele said. “As this is an active investigation, we are unable to share any personnel details or further specifics at this time.
“Our top priority remains the safety, well-being, and trust of our students, parents and community,” he added. “We are committed to maintaining our operations with the high standards of integrity you expect from us.”
In a text to Mahopac News, Sheriff Brian Hess confirmed that Kropa is a Mahopac teacher.
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