Matthew Swajkowski, the 36-year-old teacher from Verona charged with sexually assaulting and endangering the welfare of a student, will be detained in the Essex County jail pending resolution of the case. During a detention hearing today in Newark, Superior Court Judge Patrick Arre made the decision to detain him after hearing arguments from counsel.
According to Robert Florida, the public information officer in the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office (ECPO), Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Sherry Stembridge argued that Swajkowski, given the severity of the 12 charges against him, should be detained. Swajkowski’s defense attorney, Kevin Sisco, made an argument for conditional release. Judge Arre ruled, however, that due to the nature and seriousness of the charges, Swajkowski will be detained.
The ECPO arrested Swajkowski at his home in Verona on Friday, September 22, and charged him with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, among other counts. A joint investigation by the ECPO and the Verona Police Department asserted that Swajkowski had engaged in sexual conduct with a Verona juvenile.
The Verona school district has placed Swajkowski, who was a science teacher at Verona High School, on administrative leave. His next court appearance is scheduled for December 11, 2023.
The allegations made here are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
(Photo: Essex County Prosecutor’s Office)
