Teacher maintains sexual relationship with teen student, tries to destroy evidence during investigation: Cops

Authorities in New Jersey say a high school teacher was arrested on suspicion of engaging in a sexual relationship with a teen student.

According to the Press of Atlantic City, 30-year-old Jessica R. Gaeckle was arrested on Friday and released from custody a short time later after receiving a court summons.

The suspect has been identified as a Galloway Township resident who taught at Pleasantville High School at the time of the alleged criminal activity.

An attorney for the school district’s board of education indicates she did not have a position in the classroom at the time prosecutors filed charges against her. Board president Carla Thomas did not immediately respond to reporters’ request for a comment.

Authorities described the student as an 18-year-old with whom Gaeckle had sex on at least two separate occasions.

As Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner alleged, the suspect took further steps to cover up the affair upon learning that police were investigating the claims, according to WPVI.

She is expected to face criminal charges including two counts of official misconduct and one count of hindering apprehension.

Gaeckle’s arrest marked the second recent claim of sexual misconduct by the school’s staff.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Edward James Bonek was the high school’s principal when he was arrested in August on charges of possessing child pornography on a computer issued to him by the school district.

He was indicted in October on multiple charges including counts of possessing and distributing child pornography, unlawful possession of an assault rifle and high-capacity magazine, and official misconduct. Bonek pleaded not guilt to the charges during a court appearance the next month.

[Featured image: Jessica R. Gaeckle, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office]