Bail set at $50k for ex-Northeast High dean accused of sex with student [updated]

The former dean of Northeast High School was arraigned Wednesday on charges that he had sex with a student. Bail was set at $50,000 [updated, March 14].

Mark Preston Williams, 56, is charged with institutional sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of a minor, endangering the welfare of a child and interfering with custody of a child for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old student.

“Williams turned himself into police this morning and has not been arraigned yet,” a notice from the DA’s office reads. “This case is still under investigation and anyone with information on Mark Preston Williams is urged to call Special Victim’s Unit detectives at 215-685-3251.”

Institutional sexual assault is a felony charge that “makes it illegal for a teacher to have sex with a secondary school student with whom he has direct contact regardless of the victim’s age.”