Francisco Realpe, a former teacher at Union City High School, has been accused of sexually assaulting a student in 2004, according to a lawsuit filed this month. This is the second sexual assault suit filed against him.

The new suit was filed in Hudson County Superior Court on July 8. The plaintiff, who was a student at the time and is identified only as Jane Doe, alleged that Realpe frequently engaged in “sexually explicit and flirtatious conversations with female students at the school.”

Realpe was a physical education and sex education teacher during this time, as well as a coach.

Alleged sexual assault at ‘Polls Night’

In the spring semester of 2004, Jane Doe attended “Polls Night,” an after school social event where students voted on titles to award to various students. This event was held in the gymnasium of the high school, and Realpe was one of the chaperones.

During this event, Realpe allegedly approached Jane Doe and told her to go into the boys’ locker room, giving her the keys, according to the lawsuit. Shortly thereafter, Jane Doe entered the boys’ locker room, where Realpe was already present.

Realpe allegedly pushed her against the lockers, pulled her dress up, and vaginally penetrated her with his penis while she cried. After ejaculating, Realpe instructed Jane Doe to make sure than no one saw her as she left the locker room, the lawsuit alleges.

According to the lawsuit, Jane Doe suffered assault, battery, negligence, gross negligence/recklessness from the school district, and was discriminated against due to her gender. She is also seeking to “pierce the corporate veil” and prevent Realpe’s finances from being handled by his private company, Pivotal Developments, LLC.

Also named in the suit is his company, Union City High School, and the Union City Board of Education. The board does not comment on ongoing litigation.

Earlier lawsuit

Another lawsuit against Realpe was filed by former student Jessica Garcia in April.

On or about 2004, Realpe was one of Garcia’s coaches. According to the lawsuit, at this time Realpe allegedly routinely and openly engaged in “sexually explicit and flirtatious conversations with female students at the school.”

One evening at school after a softball practice in the spring, Realpe allegedly engaged in another such conversation with Garcia. Afterward, Realpe allegedly began kissing Garcia, according to the lawsuit. He allegedly took her into his secluded office where he allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with her, which was extremely painful and caused her to bleed profusely, the lawsuit states.

In the Spring or Summer of 2004, Garcia and her friend M.C. were at Garcia’s family residence while her parents were away when Realpe came over to the residence. While the three were watching television, Realpe allegedly began to kiss and undress M.C., according to the lawsuit.

Later in the summer of 2004, a group of minors were at the residence of the Garcia family while her parents were away. Realpe arrived at Garcia’s residence with alcohol that he allegedly provided to the students there. According to the lawsuit, later that night, Realpe allegedly locked himself in a room with another minor, M.B.

In the lawsuit, Garcia alleges sexual abuse of a minor, negligence, gross negligence/recklessness, and gender discrimination.

The lawsuit also names the Union City Board of Education, as well as John Does 1-10, and John Does Inc. 1-10. According to the lawsuit, the John Does are described as “unidentified individuals who were negligent or otherwise responsible for the damages to plaintiff.” John Does Inc. is described as “unidentified corporate, municipal, charitable, or other legal entities who were negligent or otherwise responsible for the damages to plaintiff.”

Multiple charges

On Feb. 3, 2020, Realpe was arrested on charges he allegedly sexually assaulted a 17-year-old female student at Dickinson High School in Jersey City, where he taught health and physical education.

For his alleged involvement in the November 2019 incident, Realpe was charged with aggravated sexual assault, a second-degree crime; criminal sexual contact, a fourth-degree crime; and endangering the welfare of a child, a second-degree crime.

On Feb. 21, 2020, Realpe was arrested on charges he allegedly sexually assaulted another 17-year-old female student in 2004 when he taught at Union City High School, then Union Hill High School.

Realpe has been charged with sexual assault, a second-degree crime.

The above charges are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

Oswaldo Domingo Xil-Argueta, 29, of Union City has been arrested and charged with first-degree aggravated arson and burglary in connection with a fire set at a Jewish synagogue and the Mesivta Sanz Yeshiva on 34th Street in Union City, according to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.

On July 3, just before 3 a.m., members of the Union City Police Department and the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue responded to 318 34th Street on reports of a working fire.

Though the fire had escalated to two alarms, there were no occupants in the building at the time and no injuries.

Xil-Argueta was arrested at 325 34th Street in Union City just after 4 a.m. on July 5 by the UCPD and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Regional Arson Task Force.

Because the arson was at a place of public worship, the aggravated arson charge has been elevated to a first-degree offense. There is no evidence as yet that this was a bias incident, authorities said.

On July 13, during a hearing before Judge Paul DePascale, the state’s motion for pretrial detention was approved after the state argued Xil-Argueta posed a danger to the community.

Suarez credited the Union City Police Department and the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force for the investigation and arrest.

The above charges are merely accusations. Xil-Argueta is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].

Union City’s crackdown on illegal fireworks came after an “overwhelming” increase in noise complaints in 2020. According to the city, the complaints ranged from noise to potential fire hazards

The Board of Commissioners recently passed an ordinance placing an 8- to-10 p.m. curfew on shooting fireworks, effective June 28.

No fireworks will be permitted on public sidewalks, streets, or roadways. All explosive and aerial fireworks are illegal in New Jersey.

Cash or court

Violations of the city ordinance can result in $250 fines or court appearances.

The ordinance is not intended to limit the sale or use of legal sparklers and other novelty fireworks, according to the city. It’s meant to prevent “improper use, noise disturbances, and to protect people and or property.”

According to Erin Knoedler, a Union City spokesperson, the ordinance aims to address resident concerns about the nonstop fireworks barrage.

“This ordinance provides additional means for the city to address local issues that arise from the illegal use of fireworks within the city,” Knoedler said in a statement. “Where a novelty item is permitted by state law, it is permitted to be used in a safe manner.”

Union City joins other municipalities in the county that have sought to crackdown on illegal fireworks since last year.

For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at [email protected].