TRUMBULL – A popular and well-respected Wilton middle school teacher was arrested on sexual assault charges Tuesday evening. Trumbull Police said Timothy Leona...

TRUMBULL – A popular and well-respected Wilton middle school teacher was arrested on sexual assault charges Tuesday evening.

Trumbull Police said Timothy Leonard, 37, of Southbury, was found with a 14-year-old Trumbull boy in the parking lot of the Bow Tie Cienma in Trumbull around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evening.

Leonard was charged with risk of injury to a minor and sexual assault in the fourth degree and posted a $10,000 bond.

Leonard is also an adjunct instructor for graduate students at Sacred Heart University. He has been at the university since 2008 and was suspended immediately without pay, according to spokeswoman Funda Alp Wednesday morning.

Wilton School Superintendent Kevin J. Smith wrote in a letter posted to the district website that the news came as an incredible shock to the entire school community.

He said Timothy “T.J.” Leonard has worked in Wilton for many years and had developed a very positive reputation as a teacher.

"The sentiment is this is incredibly shocking news. He is someone who has been in the community, it's very disturbing," said Dr. Kevin Smith, superintendent of Wilton Public Schools.