Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Alyssa Dandrea Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
KEENE — A former part-time Rindge police officer and a full-time paraprofessional at ConVal High School now on leave was indicted by a Cheshire County Grand Jury last week on charges of sexual assault of a minor, according to court records.
John Vargas-Cifrino, 35, of Harrisville is charged with two counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted aggravated felonious sexual assault of a girl he knew between the ages of 13 and 16, according to published reports.
The Rindge Police Department first received report of the allegations against Vargas- Cifrino from a Catholic priest in August. After an internal investigation by Rindge police, the matter was turned over to Keene police, who interviewed the victim and her mother.
According to Superior Court records, the victim told police she knew Vargas-Cifrino, who had been staying at her house in Keene since July 2011. The victim’s mother said Vargas-Cifrino was a family friend for more than 13 years.
Vargas-Cifrino, who worked part-time as a Rindge police officer for the last 11 years, resigned from the force on Aug. 5. Conval High School placed Vargas-Cifrino on unpaid leave four days later, after learning of the arrest made that morning by Keene police.
Vargas-Cifrino has worked full-time at the school since 2003, assisting teachers with children who have behavioral challenges. He was also a part-time campus safety officer at Franklin Pierce College for about three years, according to Lisa Murray, director of university relations and creative services.
Alyssa Dandrea can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 228 or adandrea@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter at @alyssadandrea.
. There’s a Roman Catholic priest who did the right thing. Good for him for reporting to police!
Finally a priest I can admire! They’re not all bad but rarely do you read something that gives you hope about them! Good news.