Last updated on April 2
SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — A former Washington Township teacher accused of sexually assaulting a middle school student was denied release during a detention hearing.
On April 2, the Gloucester County judge denied the request to release 36-year-old Ashley Fisler and ordered her to be held for trial.
The Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office said 36-year-old Ashley Fisler had multiple sexual encounters with a student in 2021 and 2022, while she was a teacher at Orchard Valley Middle School in Sewell.
That student, now an adult, told investigators in January that the encounters took place inside her car and in the classroom. Investigators said there were 7,500 pages of texts between Fisler and the victim, often explicit, and officials said these messages corroborate the victim’s claims and prove a pattern of grooming and manipulation. In one of the exchanges, the victim allegedly told Fisler she robbed him of his innocence.
Fisler is charged with sexual assault of a minor, endangering the welfare of a child, and official misconduct.
Officials said Fisler is no longer employed as a teacher in Washington Township or anywhere else.
Defense attorney Rocco Cipparone said he's disappointed in the decision to detain Fisler, and they will appeal.
If convicted, she faces decades in prison. Another court hearing is scheduled for May 14.
