Silver Spring, MD - Northwood High School Track Coach, Giovanni Di Angelo Reumante, Accused of Sexually Assaulting Student

HS Coach Accused of Sexually Assaulting Student

NBC Washington has reported that a track coach has been arrested for allegations of sexual assault while he was employed at Northwood High School located at 919 University Blvd W, Silver Spring, MD 20901. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested 31-year-old Giovanni Di Angelo Reumante on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. Reumante was getting off a flight at the Washington Dulles International Airport as he returned from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. A warrant had been filed on December 23, 2021, after a former student reported the high school track coach had sexually assaulted her. Reumante also served the high school as a security assistant and track coach since 2013. 

The victim, who has graduated since the assault, alleged the sexual assault took place during and after school hours. The high school has placed Reumante on administrative leave, and he is banned from entering the school campus. The track coach faces two felony charges for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with an underage student. 

Can I Sue For Being Sexually Assaulted by a Coach?

Attorney contributor Aaron Blank represents student sex assault victims and their families in civil lawsuits. As an experienced high school sexual abuse attorney, Aaron has offered to share some information on the legal options available to these victims and their families, including if they can sue for being sexually assaulted by a coach. 

"In high schools and other educational institutes where adults work with children, preventative measures should be a top priority to keep children safe from abuse. By law, schools should have sufficient security measures in place, such as security cameras, background checks, and even an easy reporting system. These measures are critical for reducing the risks of incidents, such as sexual assault. If a school does not provide adequate security, it could be held liable in a civil lawsuit."

"When a teacher or coach is arrested for sexual assault charges involving a student, the teacher, and the school should be investigated. It is important to investigate if the abuse could have been prevented or if the school enabled it through its negligence. If the teacher or coach had previous incidents of misconduct that the school failed to investigate or report to law officials, they could also be considered negligent. When school negligence is a factor, the victim and their family should consult an experienced high school sexual abuse attorney to determine if they have grounds to pursue a lawsuit. The attorney will know of the state's specific statute of limitations and any exemptions that may affect the victim's potential for filing a lawsuit."

Sources:

NBC Washington