Former Teacher Indicted on Second Set of Charges of Sexual Abuse
Published on August 22, 2013
Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Montville Police Chief Richard Cook announce Jason Fennes, 39 years old, of Bloomfield, New Jersey was indicted today on charges of Aggravated Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The charges were the result of allegations of abuse made by a former student with whom Fennes allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with when the victim was between the ages of 14 and 16. The acts allegedly began in 1997 when defendant was the victim's assistant track coach at Butler High School and continued after he resigned from that position. The charges are based upon alleged sexual acts that occurred both while the defendant was in a supervisory position over the victim as well as when she was under the age of consent. The acts in question occurred in Parsippany.
An investigation into this matter was launched in March of 2012 by Detective Sergeant Christopher Keezer of the Montville Police Department. Det. Sgt. Keezer was assisted by Detective Anne Marie Truppo of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office. The defendant was arrested on May 30, 2012.
On August 20, 2013, Fennes was also indicted on charges of Aggravated Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child as a result of allegations of abuse made by four former students. The acts allegedly occurred during the defendant's tenure as a first grade teacher at the William Mason Elementary School in the Montville Public School District between 2005 and 2008.
Defendant's most recent indictment is on three counts of First Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault; three counts of Second Degree Sexual Assault; one count of Second Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child and one count of Third Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
The Honorable Mary Gibbons Whipple, J.S.C. continued bail at $225,000.00 with no 10% option. The defendant remains in the Morris County Correctional Facility.
The State is represented by Supervising Assistant Prosecutor/SDAG Meg Rodriguez.
Anyone with information relating to these charges is urged to contact Sergeant Susan Johnson of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit at 973-829-8234 or Detective Sergeant Christopher Keezer of the Montville Police Department at 973-257-4113.
Acting Prosecutor Knapp thanks the Montville Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit, whose efforts contributed to this result.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Any inquiries can be directed to First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor/SDAG Thomas Zelante at 973-285-6252 or tzelante@co.morris.nj.us.