JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ — Andrew Fantasia, 27, of Beachwood, was arrested on October 25 on charges of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Official Misconduct. The announcement came from Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Jackson Township Police Chief Matthew Kunz.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and Jackson Township Police Department conducted an investigation that spanned from February to June 2023. The probe found that Fantasia, in his role as a teacher at Carl W. Goetz Middle School and club advisor at Jackson Memorial High School, engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with a student on high school property. Fantasia also requested nude photos from the victim.
Andrew Fantasia’s page on the Jackson School District website was blocked today by the district, but a Google cache version of the page shows that he teachers Honors Geometry and 8th Grade Pre-Algebra.
In a letter to parents in the district, school officials confirmed Andrews’ arrest and said he is being placed on immediate paid leave and will not have access to the schools.
The district made it clear that Mr. Fantasia’s crimes were not against any current student at the school. The district noted that Fantasia also served as a coach and as a club adviser at Jackson Memorial High School.
On October 25, detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant at Fantasia’s residence and seized multiple electronic devices. Fantasia was taken into custody and transported to Ocean County Jail, where he remains pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer encourages parents to discuss with their children whether they had interactions with Fantasia. Individuals with additional information should contact Detective Janine Kaiser of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 5821, or Detective Joseph Pante of the Jackson Township Police Department at 732-833-3016.