Ex-N.J. school big charged with assaults

A New Jersey robotics school co-founder was charged with sexually assaulting three students who attended classes there, authorities said.

Christopher Marbaix, 59, was arrested Thursday morning and hit with multiple charges including sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 and criminal sexual contact with a child, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office said.

The victims attended Robot Revolution in Summit, N.J. which Marbaix helped create in 2012. The school teaches children from 3rd to 12th grade about robotics.

Investigators found that on several occasions between Sept. 2016 and Dec. 2018, Marbaix “allegedly inappropriately touched the three victims over their clothing while they were under his personal instruction,” according to prosecutors.

The victims were between the ages of 12 and 15, authorities said.

“Children seeking to learn and expand their knowledge were entrusted to this defendant,” Acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay Ruotolo said. “His alleged actions constitute a betrayal of that trust.”

Robot Revolution said Marbaix has not been part of the school since 2018 when they became aware of accusations against him.

“Robot Revolution took an immediate and proactive approach to these events in 2018 and although difficult continued forward while severing all ties with Mr. Marbaix,” said co-founder Davin Czukoski in a statement.

Marbaix faces 5 to 10 years in prison if convicted.