Cuba: Jury finds former school teacher not guilty of sexually touching former student

Thomas Wight

A former school teacher who taught at several regional schools has been found not guilty by a jury of a sex crime. On June 13, 2017 the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested Thomas M. Wight, then 26 of Cuba for forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child. However, after a one day trial, a jury cleared Wight of the forcible touching charge but did find him guilty of endangering the welfare of a child. According to the original report, investigators said that Wight taught at Dansville School and started “Snapchatting” a 16-year-old boy over a course of time.  While teaching at Arkport Central School, Wight had allegedly forcibly touched the boy off school property. Allegany County prosecutors said in a press statement that the alleged crime occurred at Wight's Cuba home and that it occurred in his bedroom. Police said Wight also taught at Cuba-Rushford and Fillmore Central Schools in the past. The press statement did not indicate a sentencing date. Wight was represented by Fern Adelstein and the case was prosecuted by assistant District Attorney Thomas Fuoco.