A Far Northeast Philadelphia Catholic grade school janitor was arrested early this month in connection with a series of alleged sexual assaults of children who have not attended the school.
On June 13, Municipal Court Judge Frank Palumbo increased the bail amount from $15,000 to $1.5 million for Velez Luis, 52, who failed to post 10 percent of the larger figure and remains in jail at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.
Philadelphia police arrested Luis on June 8 at Our Lady of Calvary School, 11023 Kipling Lane. One day later, according to news reports, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia issued letters to parents of the school’s students informing them of the arrest.
According to Municipal Court records, Luis is accused in four separate cases dating from 2001 at least through 2006.
He is charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault of a child under 13 (four counts), corruption of minors (four counts), endangering the welfare of children (four counts), sexual contact with a minor (four counts), indecent exposure (two counts) and simple assault (three counts).
Luis knew the victims through a family relation, news reports said. The charges do not involve current or former Calvary students. Luis reportedly worked as a janitor at the school for three years.
Online court records show no prior convictions or arrests for Luis. A preliminary hearing has not been scheduled. ••
