A Bloomfield man has been accused of sexually abusing a female student when he was a teacher in Montville in 2005, according to an article published today on NJ.com.
The article states that Jason Fennes, 37, of Bloomfield, has maintained his innocence in the face of allegations that he abused the child when she was a first-grader at William Mason Elementary School. Fennes' attorney, Julian Wilse, stated that his client was targeted for harassment by a man whose estranged wife Fennes was dating in 2008.
During a bail review hearing today in Superior Court in Morristown, Wilse argued that Fennes' bail, currently set at $100,000, should be lowered to $50,000 because Fennes is “a lifelong New Jersey resident with ties to the state.” Wilse also argued that the state Division of Youth and Family Services had investigated the child's claims in 2009 and later exonerated Fennes for “unfounded allegations” against him.
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Superior Court Judge Salem Ahto kept Fennes’ bail at $100,000, however, saying he "didn't have enough information" to lower the bail.
Fennes was arrested on Monday, March 5, on charges of sexual assault and child endangerment, according to the report.
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To read the full NJ.com article, click HERE.
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