NEWBERG, Ore. — The Newberg-Dundee Police Department has arrested a former teacher for providing alcohol to a teenager.
Police arrested 41-year-old Joshua Luciani of Lafayette for one count of furnishing alcohol to a minor, a Class A misdemeanor. At the time, Luciani was a teacher at one of the schools in the district.
Police said the incident did not take place on school property.
According to a press release from the police department, the teenager was a 16-year-old girl.
KGW reached out to the district for an interview, but administrators declined to comment. The district would not say at which school the teacher in question previously worked.
KGW spoke with a Newberg parent, who didn't want to go on camera, but shared the email they received on Nov. 1 about the incident:
"Dear Newberg Dundee Community,
I am writing to inform you of an unfortunate situation involving one of our teachers, who was recently arrested for allegedly supplying alcohol to a minor. We recognize that news like this can be unsettling, and we want to assure you that we are fully cooperating with local law enforcement to address the matter. At this time, the teacher in question is no longer an employee of the Newberg School District.
In accordance with our policies and legal responsibilities, we have notified the Teachers Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) as required. Please understand that, due to privacy considerations of students and staff, we are limited in the details we can share.
Actions like this in no way represent the values of our district and our community.
Sincerely,
Dave Parker
Interim Superintendent”
The investigation has been referred to the Yamhill District Attorney's Office for prosecution. KGW reached out to the DA for comment but has not heard back.