New Jersey ‘mystery pooper’ was top education official, say police

An education official in the US who police believe relieved himself on school grounds “on a daily basis” has been arrested.

Thomas Tramaglini, 42, was caught after he was seen defecating on the Holmdel High School football field and track in New Jersey, NJ.com reports. Investigators had “set up a sting operation to snare the ‘mystery pooper’”, says the BBC.

Police were on the lookout after students complained of finding excrement near their school running track and field.

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Tramaglini is superintendent of schools in the nearby district of Kenilworth, “reportedly earning nearly $150,000 (£110,000) per year as head of the local education authority”, says Sky News.

The top education official, dubbed the “pooper-intendent,” says Fox News, was charged with lewdness, littering and defecating in public.

The Kenilworth Board of Education said Tramaglini asked for and was granted a paid leave of absence, noting that state law only allows leave without pay in the face of indictments or tenure charges.

“The Board of Education wants to assure faculty and staff, students and parents, that the district will continue its responsibilities without interruption,” Kenilworth Public Schools said in a written statement.

Local residents speculated on Facebook about his potential motive, according to the BBC, with some arguing he should not be punished unless his intent was malicious. Others wondered whether Tramaglini, if guilty, could have a condition that left him unable to restrain his bowel movements.