The Alternative Press

PATERSON, NJ – A 50-year-old Paterson teacher already accused of offering a student money for sex now faces additional criminal charges involving child prostitution, authorities announced on Tuesday.

Thomas Weir has been charged with three counts of promoting prostitution of a child in allegations that involve three of his former seventh grade students, according to a press release issued by Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik. The students currently range in age from 13 to 17, the press release said.

Weir also has been charged with one new count of endangering the welfare of a child, authorities said.

Weir, a Paterson teacher for 21 years, has been suspended with pay since the initial charges were filed against him on February 24. Those offenses, involving a current student at the Kennedy high school complex, were attempted sexual assault, attempted endangering the welfare of a child, luring/enticing a child and official misconduct.

Weir had taught at city elementary schools, including School 15, before he was transferred to Kennedy for the current academic year. He previously had been accused of criminal sexual contact involving a Passaic County Community College student, where he had also taught, but was acquited by a jury in 2005.

The press release said Weir was re-arrested on Monday after authorities continued their investigation on him.

Superior Court Judge Raymond Reddin, J.S.C. reviewed Weir’s bail on Monday, ordering the teacher to surrender his passport and directed the Passaic County Sheriff to place Weir on a GPS ankle monitor. His bail remained at $500.000.