Award-winning NJ wrestling coach accused of sexual relationship with student

🍎 A Freehold Township High School teacher is charged with sexually assaulting an underage student.

⚠️ Prosecutors say the relationship began in late 2025 and involved multiple Monmouth County towns.

➡️ Jesse Heubel is a well-known figure in his community and has tried his hand at local politics.

FREEHOLD — A teacher actively involved in the Monmouth County community is now accused of having a sexual relationship with a student.

On Tuesday, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said that Jesse Heubel, 37, had sex with the underage girl in his hometown of Englishtown, as well as Freehold, Manalapan, and Red Bank. According to investigators, Heubel's illicit relationship with the Freehold Township High School student began in November 2025.

Heubel faces five counts of sexual assault and four counts of child endangerment, all second-degree offenses. He turned himself in and was taken to the Monmouth County jail pending a court appearance, prosecutors said.

Get our free mobile app

The teacher has been removed from all duties and from school property since his arrest, Freehold schools Superintendent Nicole Hazel said in a statement to parents.

"The safety and welfare of our students remain our highest priority. We will continue to take all appropriate measures to protect them, and we stand ready to provide support to any student who needs it," Hazel said.

Anyone with more information about the accusations against Heubel is asked to call Det. Julio Casso at 732-431-7160, ext. 2220. Attorney information for Heubel was not immediately available.

Jesse Heubel, the technology teacher at Freehold Township, works with students in automotive classes. (Freehold Regional High School District)

Teacher was active in athletics, theater and local politics

Heubel is the technology teacher at Freehold Township High School. He's an award-winning varsity wrestling coach and helps with the school theater; in April, he received a 2026 Basie Awards nomination for Outstanding Set Design of a Play. Recently, Old Bridge schools hired him as assistant wrestling coach. He also volunteered this summer to lead a free wrestling camp for high schoolers.

The decorated teacher also tried his hand at local politics. Heubel was one of several names on the Republican ballot for the Englishtown Borough Council in the June 2025 primaries.

Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom