MONTGOMERY, N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, Police Captain/Director James M. Gill and Franklin Township Director of Public Safety Quovella Spruill announced the arrest of Matthew J. Rennie, age 30, Rileyville Road, Ringoes, New Jersey in relation to sexual assault incidents that occurred between July 2021 and September 2021 in the Township of Montgomery and the Township of East Amwell (Hunterdon County).
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on October 6, 2021, a 17-year-old female victim reported to Franklin Township Police that she was sexually assaulted by teacher/coach Matthew Rennie, who is employed at a private educational institution in Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey. The victim was interviewed by detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit and Franklin Township Police Department. As a result of this investigation, the victim disclosed incidents that occurred in Montgomery Township and East Amwell Township (Hunterdon County) from July 2021 to September 2021. As a result of this investigation, Matthew Rennie was arrested on October 6, 2021 by detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and Montgomery Township Police Department at the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office without incident.
As a result of this investigation, it was also determined that Ranait Griff, a female teacher/coach at the same school was aware of the sexual relationship. Defendant Griff was arrested by detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit and the Franklin Township Police Department without incident at the Franklin Township Police Department.
Defendant Rennie was charged with 2nd degree Sexual Assault and 3rd degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Defendant Rennie was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Defendant Griff was charged with 3rd degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Defendant Griff was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor, Police Captain/Director Gill and Director Spruill request anyone with information relating to the sexual assault to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes Unit (908) 231-7100 or the Montgomery Township Police Department at (908) 359-3222 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.