36-YEAR-OLD VERONA HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER CHARGED WITH HAVING AN INAPPROPRIATE SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A TEEN
" Matthew Swajkowski Has Been Arrested, Charged & Detained For Conducting Inappropriate Sexual Behavior & Supplying Alcohol With A Minor."
Thursday, September 28, 2023, 4:00 P.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
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NEWARK, NJ.- Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II reported that following an investigation, on Friday, September 22, 2023, a 36-Year-Old Verona High School Teacher was Taken into Custody and Charged with Sexual Assault and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and an Additional Ten other Charges.
In July 2023, The Verona Police Department was notified that Matthew Swajkowski, 36, of Verona, New Jersey was Conducting an Inappropriate Relationship with a Child who was Under the Age of 18 but Older than 16 Years of Age. At the time of The Report, Mr. Swajkowski was Employed as a Teacher at The Verona High School. The Juvenile was a High School Student and a Member of The School's Chess Club.
A joint investigation by Members of The Essex County Prosecutor's Office in conjunction with Detectives of The Verona Police Department determined that Mr. Swajkowski Engaged in Sexual Conduct with The Juvenile in Verona, New Jersey. The other Charges against Mr. Swajkowski are for Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and Purposefully or Knowingly Serving or Making Available Alcohol Beverages to a Person Under the Legal Age for Consuming Alcoholic Beverages.
According to The Prosecutor's Office, while the Age of Consent in New Jersey is Sixteen, it is Unlawful for anyone whose "Legal Professional or Occupational Status" gives them "Supervisory or Disciplinary Power" over a Child who is at least Sixteen but less than Eighteen Years of Age to Engage in Sexual Conduct with that Child.
Further, according to Robert Florida, Essex County Prosecutor's Office Spokesman, on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, Mr. Swajkowski appeared before The Honorable Patrick Arre, J.S.C. for a Detention Hearing. After Oral Arguments by both The State and The Defense, Judge Arre Determined that Due to The Severity of the Twelve Charges Against him, Mr. Swajkowski should be Detained in The Essex County Correctional Facility pending the Resolution of The Charges.
" The Rules Of The Court Require Us To Include A Statement, That States: The Charges Outlined In This Publication Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt."
FILED UNDER: SEPTEMBER 28, 2023: LAW, ESSEX: