NEWARK —  A Newark Public Schools attendance counselor has been arrested and charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

Essex County prosecutors say that in October, 31-year-old James D. Rone-Lewis brought a student into his office at Avon Avenue Elementary School and touched the child's genitals.

Rone-Lewis has been released on pretrial monitoring as he awaits trial.

He has also been suspended without pay by the school and is barred from having any contact with the victim or the school.

NJ teachers and educators caught in sex crime busts

Over the past several years, state lawmakers have dealt with accused child predators among ranks of teachers and educators.

The following individuals were arrested and charged in 2021 and several years earlier. Some were convicted and sentenced to prison.

Others accepted plea deals for probation and some cases were still pending.

Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt

 

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM