High School Marching Band Director Jason Koenig Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault
Thursday, December 18, 2014
press Release December 16, 2014
MAYS LANDING – A Hammonton man employed as the high school’s marching band director pled guilty today to the sexual assault of a 16 year-old student, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced.
Jason Koenig, 27, of the 600 block of Wilbur Avenue, Hammonton, pled guilty today, before Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Michael A. Donio, to Sexual Assault and Official Misconduct—both 2nd degree crimes.
On May 1, 2014, after a week-long investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Town of Hammonton Police Department, a warrant was issued for Koenig’s arrest, on charges of Official Misconduct, Sexual Assault, Criminal Sexual Contact, and Endangering the Welfare of Children.
The State alleges that, while employed by Hammonton High School as an Aide and Marching Band Director, Koenig committed these crimes against a 16 year-old Hammonton High School student in November and December of 2013, while he had supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim by virtue of his occupational status.
On May 5, 2014, Koenig surrendered himself at the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, where he was placed in custody, arraigned in Superior Court, and lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility on $200,000 cash or bond bail, no 10%.
Additional conditions of bail included the surrender of his passport, the order to remain within the State of New Jersey and to have no contact with the victim or the victim’s family, and to submit to a GPS monitoring bracelet. Koenig eventually posted bail, and was released pending court.
Today, Koenig waived his right to a grand jury, and pled guilty to the accusations of Sexual Assault and Official Misconduct. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Koenig faces an aggregate sentence of 5 years of incarceration in New Jersey State prison, and must serve 2 years before being eligible for parole.
Further, Koenig will forfeit all current and future public employment, and is subject to Megan’s Law registration and supervision for life.
Judge Donio continued Koenig’s release on bail on the GPS monitoring bracelet, pending sentencing. The sentencing date has not been set, pending Koenig’s evaluation by the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Avenel.
Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit Detective Danielle Rosiello and Hammonton Police Detective Peter Hagerty were lead investigators on the case.
First Assistant Prosecutor Diane Ruberton represented the State in the matter.
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***These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.