A 26-year-old New Jersey chemistry teacher has been busted after a female student said they had sex in his apartment, according to prosecutors.
Jason Howe, who also coached numerous girls’ teams at Sterling High School in Camden County, was busted Friday, hours after the disturbing allegations were reported.
The student — who was only said to be between 16 and 18 — had gone to local cops to report “having a sexual relationship with a teacher,” Camden County prosecutors said.
“During the investigation, detectives determined Howe and the victim engaged in sexual intercourse at his apartment” in Runnemede sometime last month, the prosecutor’s office said.
The chemistry teacher — who also coached cross country, girls’ track and boys’ basketball — was charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, which carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Howe was himself a new graduate of the school when he started teaching there in 2021.
“I really love working with the students,” he said in a short introduction video posted on the school website.
“My teaching style really revolves around getting the students out of their seats and getting them involved, so they’ll never be sitting in my class listening for too long,” he said.
Students also admired him, making his arrest all the more shocking.
“He was a great teacher,” senior Nate Schwarz told WPVI. “I would have never expected him to do this. It was shocking to me when I found out.”
Fellow senior Nick Gallucci said it was “just pretty sad.”
The district’s superintendent said officials were also shocked by the arrest and were blindsided by the allegations.
“We will fully cooperate with law enforcement as we remain focused on supporting our students and ensuring a safe learning environment,” the superintendent told WPVI in a statement.
One parent, however, suggested there was an ominous “culture” at the school, without offering specifics.
“I wasn’t surprised, there is like a culture around Sterling High School,” the parent told the local outlet, without explaining what had previously happened.
“I don’t want to send my child back to school to be uncomfortable. I’m hoping that they take this seriously and do actually look into things and make sure that the students feel safe.”
The unidentified accuser “is the only victim identified in this matter,” the prosecutpor’s office said, vowing to investigate additional allegations if reported.
Howe has been banned from school property. He is due in court next week.