Thomas Puccini, 28, was arrested for sextortion crimes against an Eastchester teenage student.
DA Mimi Rocah is asking any other victims to come forward
By Dan Murphy
Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah is urging any possible victims of the Eastchester school district athletic director, who was arrested and charged in connection with allegedly extorting a teenager to send sexually explicit images and videos, to contact the DA’s Office or police.
DA Rocah said: “Pressuring and threatening people for content that is sexual in nature, also known as ‘sextortion,’ is increasingly directed at our youth and is a crime. Anyone who may have been victimized or may have information about other possible victims of this defendant should contact the DA’s Office at (914)995-TIPS (8477). My Office is on standby to offer support and assistance to victims and families while our investigation continues.”
The defendant, Thomas James Puccini, 28, employed by the Eastchester Union Free School District as the Interim Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics, was arrested on Nov. 1 by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and arraigned before Judge Lynette Spaulding on the felony charge of grand larceny in the fourth degree in White Plains City Court.
As the charge is not bail eligible in New York, the defendant was released on his own recognizance and is due in Eastchester Town Court on Nov. 6.
According to the felony complaint, the defendant obtained images and videos of a sexual nature from a teen, starting when the victim was 17 years old, by threatening to expose confidential information about the victim. The communications allegedly occurred between November 2021 and November 2023 on the social media platform Snapchat and CashApp, a mobile payment service.
The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office’s Cyber Crimes Bureau and High Technology Crimes Squad conducted the investigation after the victim filed a report with the Eastchester Police Department, who referred the case to the DA‘s Office.
Anyone who may have been victimized or may have information about other possible victims of the defendant can contact the DA’s Office at (914) 995-TIPS (8477) – press no. 6. Language assistance is available.
Puccini is a 2014 graduate of Eastchester High School. He was named interim Athletic Director of the Eastchester school district in July of 2024.
Puccini has been placed on administrative leave and is not permitted on district property.
Eastchester School District Superintendent Ronald D. Valenti sent out the following letter to parents.
Dear Members of the Eastchester School Community:
Earlier today, the Superintendent’s Office received notification that a District employee was arrested off District premises. Although the District is unable to comment on specific personnel matters, the District’s practice in such circumstances is to immediately place an employee on administrative leave pending a District investigation. During such reassignment, the employee is not permitted on District property.
As this is both a personnel and legal matter, we are unable to provide any additional information at this time; however, we wish to assure our families that the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority.
Sincerely, Ronald D. Valenti, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Media reports say that prosecutors believe that Puccini may have more young victims and that he was arrested at the Westchester County Airport. on Nov. 1.
Puccini’s Linkedin page has his appointment to interim Director of Physical Education in July and receiving tenure in June. His other listed position for hte school district and the town include camp director.
Which has parents concerned.
