KINGSTON – A former custodian and wrestling coach in the Saugerties Central School District has been sentenced in Ulster County Court to 6 ½ years in state prison followed by 10 years of post-release supervision for his guilty plea to three counts of rape for having sex with under-age students at Saugerties High School.

Reid Kappler, 32, of Connecticut, was sentenced by Ulster County Court Judge Bryan Rounds on Wednesday.

“I hope the current dialogue and outrage about sexual crimes against children gets the message across that no community should let this happen; there is a long-lasting impact even after the children become adults,” said District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji. “Daily life becomes a challenge and there’s no amount of therapy to reverse the harm or fix the fracture in the community. Sometimes these crimes are secrets kept in plain sight, only noticeable to those who dare care to remain vigilant and to say something. We must do better.”

The DA’s investigation into this case was prompted by the Saugerties police chief. Kappler was arrested in his home in July 2023 by a team of US Marshals Task Force, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, and investigators from the DA’s office.

The related case of Sydney Mills, a former Saugerties police officer, remains pending in Ulster County Court for pretrial hearings and trial.

Nneji said anyone with information about suspected child sexual abuse or other crimes is encouraged to call the Ulster County Family and Child Advocacy Center at 845-334-5155, or any police agency.