Jackson Township Teacher Faces Charges: Child Pornography Possession and Endangering Child’s Welfare
Jackson Township, NJ – On November 1, 2023, Andrew Fantasia, a 27-year-old resident of Beachwood, was charged with Possession of Child Pornography and an additional count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. This comes after Fantasia had previously faced charges of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact, and Official Misconduct on October 25, 2023.
The charges against Fantasia stem from an investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Jackson Township Police Department. The investigation revealed that between February 2023 and June 2023, Fantasia, who was employed as a teacher at Carl W. Goetz Middle School and a club advisor at Jackson Memorial High School, engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with a student on high school property. Additionally, Fantasia was found to have solicited nude photos from the victim.
On October 25, 2023, detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit executed a court-authorized search warrant at Fantasia’s residence. During the search, detectives seized multiple electronic devices in Fantasia’s possession. He was immediately taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is currently being held pending a detention hearing.
A thorough forensic analysis of Fantasia’s electronic devices was conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit. The analysis uncovered nude images of the victim on Fantasia’s cellular phone. As a result, on November 1, 2023, Fantasia was served with the additional charges of Possession of Child Pornography and Endangering the Welfare of a Child while at the Ocean County Jail.
Prosecutor Billhimer extended his gratitude to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Jackson Township Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their collaboration and dedicated efforts throughout the investigation.
It is important to note that the charges mentioned above are mere accusations, and it is essential to remember that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law, as per R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).
As the case continues to unfold, authorities are working diligently to ensure justice is served and that the safety and well-being of all students are upheld.
