NJ Music Teacher Accused of Spanking Young Student

A 60-year-old guitar teacher in New Jersey has been arrested for allegedly spanking one of his students, prosecutors said.

Frank Diliberto, a teacher at the Musician's Workshop on Route 9 in Manalapan, was charged Thursday with sexually assaulting a child younger than 13 and endangering the welfare of a child.

Diliberto has given private music lessons at the center for more than a decade.

"This is a shock to us and the store, our customers," said Joe Striffolino, the owner of Musician's Workshop. "We have been here 35 years. We taught 30,000 students in that time period. There is no excuse for what happened."

Striffolino said he was considering new measures for the security room -- a comfort for one mother whose family has been taking lessons there for years.

"I've had great experiences since I've lived here in New Jersey," said Vanessa Word. "My family has come here, I've sent friends here."

Diliberto's being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution on $200,000 bail and was ordered to stay away from the child he's accused of spanking.