Alexander Boston, a teacher at a charter school in Pembroke, described his sexual relationship with a 15-year-old former student as “sibling-like,” saying it was meant to support the student, who was struggling with self-harm.
In an interview with Goffstown police, the underage student said Boston, 31, performed “sexual acts together” with them and that they were in a relationship, according to court documents.
On Nov. 3, Boston, a teacher at Strong Foundations Charter School in Pembroke, was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated felonious sexual assault and one count of witness and informant tampering.
Boston is from Penacook.
The situation came to light in July, when a friend of the victim reported concerns to school staff about the victim’s relationship with Boston, believing it was inappropriate. He was then placed on leave.
Boston, then a robotics and math teacher at the kindergarten-through-eigth-grade charter school, said his relationship with the student began with the intention of offering emotional support.
He had the student in both his classes within the past school year. He told police he saw that the student had been through a lot and that he wanted to be like a “guidance counselor” to them.
But Boston’s emotional support soon crossed boundaries, authorities said.
Boston said he would hug the student, ruffle their hair and tell them, “I love you,” according to court documents.
Boston also told the officer that he and the student met at each other’s homes and their conversations eventually became “sexually charged,” despite telling police that he identifies as “aromantic and asexual.”
After their interview with Boston, Goffstown police believed that he had warned the student that police would be coming to conduct an interview.
A search of the student’s phone revealed deleted messages from Boston, seemingly in an attempt to conceal the information.
Boston is being held on a $10,000 cash bail and is scheduled for a probable cause hearing at Goffstown District Court on Nov. 14.