Former Middletown HS Teacher Charged In Student Relationship Probe

MIDDLETOWN, CT — A former math teacher at Middletown High School is now facing criminal charges related to what police are calling, "an inappropriate sexual relationship with a minor student."

Police Tuesday served an arrest warrant on 35-year-old James Hanson. He taught at Middletown High from August 2022 through Nov. 16, 2023 but was immediately placed on administrative leave when the investigation began, police and school system officials said.

Hanson surrendered at Middletown Police Headquarters.

Police said he was charged with five counts of second-degree sexual assault, two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, the use of a computer to entice a minor and risk of injury to a minor.

Police said Hanson's arrest is the result of a lengthy investigation conducted by the Middletown Police Department's Special Investigations Unit and the Homeland Security Investigations Task Force.

Hanson was held on a $100,000 cash/surety bond and was to appear in court Tuesday.

School system officials released the following statement:

"In November 2023, immediately upon learning of the allegations against Mr. James Hanson, he was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation and the District contacted the appropriate authorities. Soon after, Mr. Hanson submitted his resignation.

"Mr. Hanson is no longer employed by the Middletown Public Schools and has not been for several months now.

"Since November, we have been working in partnership with the authorities and will continue to do so for as long as is necessary.

"We know situations like this can have profound effects on our school community, and we want to remind you that our school support personnel remain available to any member of our school community who wants or needs support."

School system officials said if a student "hears or sees something concerning," he or she, "should tell a trusted adult immediately and/or report it anonymously through Middletown's Say Something portal."