JERSEY CITY – On Thursday, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office arrested a substitute teacher on charges of sex crimes involving two students. The alleged crimes took place at Public School 34 on Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City on May 15, 2023.
Fayez Yassa, 64, a resident of Jersey City, is facing two counts of Sexual Assault by Contact and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, both second-degree crimes under New Jersey state law. Yassa was arrested at his home and is currently being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his initial court appearance. He has since been terminated from his position at the school.
Prosecutor Esther Suarez credited the arrest and ongoing investigation to the Special Victims Unit of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from the Jersey City Police Department and Jersey City Public Schools. “The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” said Prosecutor Suarez, citing New Jersey Rule of Professional Conduct 3.6(b)(6).
Authorities are urging anyone with information on this case or wishing to report a sex crime to contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at 201-915-1234.