New London school employee charged with inappropriate behavior with student
New London — City police have arrested a man with a federal drug-related conviction working at a New London elementary school on charges related to alleged inappropriate behavior with an underage New London student.
Corriche Gaskin, 34, a New London school district employee since 2015, was working as a climate specialist at Harbor Elementary School, and previously at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School, but has been out on paid administrative leave since March 20.
Gaskin, of 213 Poquonnock Road, Apt. 2, in Groton, is charged with risk of injury to a minor, a felony charge that could apply to everything from child endangerment to inappropriate sexual contact with a minor. He is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond and could appear in New London Superior Court as early as Monday.
New London Police Capt. Brian Wright declined to release any more details of the case, citing an “active and ongoing” investigation.
“This situation is incredibly concerning to all,” Superintendent Cynthia Ritchie said in a statement. “The school system, (Department of Children and Families) and the police department responded immediately when issues were raised.”
“The district will continue to work with the agencies involved in this investigation and has no further comment at this time,” Ritchie said.
Public records show that on Jan. 6, 2011, Gaskin pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine. He later was sentenced to three years of supervised release, the first six months of his sentence in home confinement. He also was ordered to perform 120 hours of community service.
In August 2008, court records show, individuals working with the New London Police Department made purchases of heroin and crack cocaine from Charlene "Umi" Thomas of New London. In October of that same year, Gaskin met Thomas at a Waterford parking lot to receive 101 grams of crack cocaine and $1,000 in cash, according to a statement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office at the time.
Gaskin then was followed by police to Shaw Street, where he parked his car and tried to run from police.
Gaskin’s lenient sentence was explained in a judgment memorandum by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny. He noted it was Gaskin’s first offense and only apparent involvement with illegal drugs. Gaskin was trying to obtain a loan from Thomas following the birth of his child and Thomas had given Gaskin a bandana containing drugs to deliver to her home, court records show.
The district did not immediately address his prior conviction. His role in the district as a climate specialist is to work with students, staff and families in peer mediation, behavior supports and creating opportunities for students to be successful using “Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports,” a statement from the school district shows.
