Former teacher admits to grabbing boy in YMCA shower

A former teacher in Saratoga Springs has pleaded guilty to sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child charges after he was arrested for touching a15-year-old boy in the shower at the city YMCA.

Thomas Filion, 68, was arrested in November of 2007 after a three-week investigation by Saratoga Springs Police which included examination of surveillance video from the YMCA on West Avenue.

Investigators said Filion, who is a former teacher at various schools in the Saratoga Springs area, approached the teen in the shower and grabbed his genitals.

The teen did not know Filion, the Saratoga County District Attorney said.

Filion pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree unlawful imprisonment, forcible touching, and endangering the welfare of a child.

He's scheduled to be sentenced November 17th and could face anywhere from probation to seven years in prison.

D.A. James Murphy said he was seeking jail time as well as a surrender of teaching certificates, lifetime registration on the sex offender registry and an order of protection against the boy and the YMCA.

"This is an extraordinarily rare occurrence and the YMCA is a safe place," emphasized D.A. Murphy in a written statement. "One instance of this behavior should not tarnish the reputation of a place that has a reputation for family, fitness and health."

The YMCA CEO, Jim Letts, told CBS 6 at the time of Filion's arrest it had revoked his membership and was "taking the matter very seriously."