The owner of a performing arts studio in New Jersey is accused of giving alcohol to minors and then taking inappropriate photographs of them, NJ.com reported.
Michael W. Grande. 43, of Whiting was arrested Wednesday and charged with endangering the welfare of children, promoting obscene material to a person under 18 and providing alcohol to underage people, the Asbury Park Press reported.
Grande, who owns and teaches at the Westminster School of Performing Arts in Manchester Township, had "inappropriate interactions with several studio participants," police told NJ.com.
“On several occasions, Mr. Grande provided alcoholic beverages to the victims, who were between the ages of 16 and 20, and also took photos and videos of them in various stages of undress,” township police said in a statement.
According to his biography on the Westminster Theatre Company website where he works, Grande is described as "a teaching-artist and school administrator who has subject-area specialties in vocal performance and acting; he also holds multiple degrees and state licenses in the field of education."
Neither Grande nor the Westminster Theatre Company could be immediately reached for comment, NJ.com reported.
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