A Union City dance instructor accused of sexually assaulting two 17-year-old students, coercing one of them to have sex at his studio, while touching the other student’s penis without his consent, according to court documents filed in the case.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“On Monday, 6/17/19, after dance practice at [Union City High School], his instructor, Estibenson Lopez, offered to give him a ride home,” the affidavit of probable cause says.
“While in Lopez’s vehicle, [the victim] stated that Lopez asked him how many layers of clothing he was wearing. Lopez started to verify with his hands how many layers [the victim] had on and started to feel the fabric of [the victim’s] sweatpants, without his consent.”
The court document continues that after asking the student about his age, Lopez put his hand down the student’s pants and underwear while at a red light.
The complaint says the student told authorities this sexual touching was not consensual.
Last week, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office said that Lopez, a part of the Yenyere Dance Studio located at 3804 New York Ave., was arrested without incident for two instances of alleged sexual assault.
A second student, also 17, allegedly met Lopez at his dance studio back in October 2018 after he called the victim and told him he wanted to discuss a job opportunity with him, authorities said.
While the victim was changing into one of his dance costumes, Lopez allegedly told him “his penis is showing too much” and after making advances on him, they had allegedly had sex in the studio.
Lopez is accused of telling the student to keep the incident between them.
Last week, the prosecutor’s office noted that the Yenyere Dance Studio had a contract with the Union City Board of Education. The criminal complaint clarifies that the entity has a contract with Union City High School.
A spokesman for the Union City Board of Education did not return an email seeking comment about how much the dance studio received annually from the school district, as well as how long that contract had been utilized.
Furthermore, the City of Union City’s official website has promoted some of the dance studio’s event, such as a performance to celebrate their second anniversary back in April.
“Mayor Brian P. Stack and the Board of Commissioners cordially invite you to Yenyere Dance Studio’s 2nd Anniversary Showcase on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Union City Performing Arts Center, 2500 Kennedy Blvd., at 6 p.m. Admission is free,” the post says.
Lopez and/or an attorney representing him in this case could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
