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A security guard in the city's school system has been accused of serving alcohol to three teenagers, according to a criminal complaint released yesterday by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office.

(Journal File Photo)

BAYONNE -- A security guard in the city's school system has been accused of serving alcohol to three teenagers, according to criminal complaints released yesterday by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office.

Bayonne police said on Tuesday that Dominick F. Novella Jr., 31, of Avenue B was arrested on April 12 on the charges of child abuse, endangering the welfare of a child and offering alcohol to an underage person.

But police stopped short of describing the nature of those charges, directing inquiries for additional information to court documents that couldn't be immediately obtained.

According to criminal complaints that have since been released, the 31-year-old served "Strawberita" alcoholic beverages to two 17-year-old teenagers on Oct. 9, 2015.

Novella also served "a bottle of fireball whiskey" in Stephen R. Gregg Hudson County Park on Feb. 28, 2016 to an 18-year-old teenager, according to the complaints.

The complaints did not state the genders of the victims nor their hometowns. They also did not state the location or locations where Novella allegedly offered the two 17-year-olds alcohol.

It's not clear based on the complaints if the 17-year-olds were allegedly offered alcohol at the same time and place.

While not saying whether any victims were students in the Bayonne school system, the complaints said Novella had "a legal duty for the care" of the two 17-year-old teenagers.

The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office declined to provide further comment.

Probable cause for Novella's arrest was based on an incident report completed by a police officer, supplemental reports completed by two police detectives and statements provided by the three teenagers, the complaints state.

The charges against the school security guard are being announced just two months after two Bayonne teachers' aides were arrested on cocaine charges.

Hired on Sept. 1, 2013, Novella's official job title is "Security Officer" and his annual salary is $30,140, according to school records.

On Tuesday, Bayonne school board member Christopher Munoz directed questions about Novella's employment status to board labor attorney Robert Clarke, who hasn't returned a call for comment.

Bayonne High School Principal Richard Baccarella said yesterday that he can't comment on Novella's arrest.

Neither Bayonne school board president Joseph Broderick nor Superintendent of Schools Patricia McGeehan have responded for comment.

Jonathan Lin may be reached at jlin@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @jlin_jj. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.