Image of an empty primary school classroom. — image of an empty primary school classroom.

EDISON, N.J. – A Morristown man employed as a teacher at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses related to child sexual abuse material and invasion of privacy, authorities said Tuesday.

Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Edison Police Chief Thomas Bryan announced that Axel Palomares, 50, was taken into custody on Monday following a criminal investigation prompted by a cyber tip from the New Jersey State Police.

The investigation, led by Detective Ken McGarry of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, led to the execution of a search warrant at Palomares’ Morristown residence, where he was arrested without incident.

New jersey teacher charged with child exploitation offenses after cyber tip — Photo: new jersey teacher charged with child exploitation offenses after cyber tip

Palomares was charged with second-degree manufacturing of child sexual abuse material, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree possession of child sexual abuse material, and fourth-degree invasion of privacy.

Teacher held pending pre-trial detention hearing

Palomares is currently being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Facility as he awaits the outcome of a pre-trial detention hearing. No additional information about the victims or the nature of the material was disclosed by authorities.

Officials have not released details regarding Palomares’ employment status at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School following his arrest.

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