Ex-Janitor Pleads Guilty to Stalking Student at Holy Family School

A former janitor at Nazareth’s has admitted to stalking a female student in the spring of 2010, according to published reports.

John Simak, 68, of 663 Bowers Road, Bushkill Township, who has since been terminated from the Catholic school on N. Convent Avenue, pleaded guilty in to stalking and attempted corruption of minors Thursday.

According to police, Simak attempted to start a romantic relationship with the student, whose exact age was not given, other than that she was under the age of 16 at the time of the incident.

Simak claimed he had fallen in love with the student and wanted to kiss and have a special moment with her to show his affection, records say.  A written note stating the same had also been given to the student, court records say.

According to police, the student claimed Simak had repeatedly stepped in front of her in the school’s hallway, blocking her path.  She said he often stood too close to her, and looked at her in a way that made her uncomfortable.  As a result, the student dreaded going down the hallways of her school, according to court records. 

Simak asked the student to exchange e-mails to “keep in touch” after she graduated from Holy Family.  The student claims she has experienced a nightmare due to Simak’s actions toward her and is afraid Simak will look for her at her home, court records say.

Simak has been ordered not to have any contact with the victim or her family.

Northampton County Judge Emil Giordano will sentence Simak next month, according to published reports.

He is free on $7,500 bail.