Charges Filed In NHS Unlawful Restraint Incident

By Andrew Gorosko

Police said Thursday morning that they have arrested three of six Newtown High School students implicated in a February incident at the school that involved unlawful restraint, reckless endangerment, and the assault of a male teenager.

The incident occurred on Saturday, February 9, at the high school, police said.

After learning that police held a warrant for his arrest, Matthew Cluff, 18, of 1 Smoke Rise Ridge turned himself in at the police station on Wednesday and was charged with first-degree unlawful restraint, first-degree reckless endangerment, and third-degree assault, police said. The unlawful restraint charge is a felony.

Additionally, two youthful offenders turned themselves in that day and were each charged with the same offenses as Cluff, police said. The identity of youthful offenders, who are either 16 or 17 years old, is shielded by state law.

Police said that they have warrants and plan to arrest three more NHS students under age 18 in the case.

Police said they will disclose more information about the incident that has led to the arrests after the other offenders are charged.

Police released Cluff on a written promise to appear for arraignment in Danbury Superior Court on July 8.

The two youthful offenders who have been charged so far were released on written promises to appear in Danbury Youthful Offender Court on July 11.