NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — A New Jersey high school teacher was arrested last week after he was accused of sexually assaulting a student, authorities said on Tuesday.
Matthew Swajkowski, 36, was a teacher at Verona High School and oversaw the chess club which the victim was a member of, the Essex County Prosecutor's office said.
In July, the Verona police department was informed that Swajkowski engaged in inappropriate conduct with a student.
Swajkowski was arrested on 12 charges including sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, sexual conduct with a minor, and purposely or knowingly offering or serving or making available an alcoholic beverage to a person under the legal age for consuming alcoholic beverages on Sept. 22, prosecutors said.
"While the age of consent in New Jersey is 16, it is unlawful for anyone whose 'legal, professional or occupational status' gives them 'supervisory or disciplinary power' over a child who is at least 16 but less than 18 years old to engage in sexual conduct with that child," the office said in a statement.
Swajkowski is scheduled to reappear in court on Dec. 11.
