Atlantic County prosecutors have charged Amanda Crafts, a 35‑year‑old computer teacher at Middle Township Middle School, with participation in an alleged prostitution scheme that took place in a casino hotel room in Atlantic City on Oct. 9.
Details of the alleged crime
According to the complaint, the victim met Crafts and her 23‑year‑old associate, Veda Engel of Cape May, after exchanging phone numbers at a bar within the hotel resort. The men later entered the women’s hotel room, where the victim says the two women stripped him, physically restrained him to the bed, and forced him to perform sexual acts.
Engel allegedly told the victim, “That’s what you get for $1,250,” before the women used the victim’s facial‑recognition feature to unlock his phone and initiate four Apple Pay transactions totaling $1,250, which were deposited into Crafts’ account. The victim reported that the transactions were made without his consent in exchange for the sexual acts.
Arrest and legal proceedings
Both women were taken into custody shortly after the incident. Crafts, who has four children, told Judge Timothy Maguire during a video appearance from the Atlantic County Justice Facility that she was “in the wrong place at the wrong time.” She has no prior arrests, according to the court record.
Engel, who works for SoFresh SoClean Commercial Cleaning in Ocean City, has a history of prostitution‑related charges, including a prior incident in December and an alleged offer of sex to an undercover New Jersey State Police detective at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa last year.
The state consented to the women’s pre‑trial release on Oct. 15, requiring them to check in with the court every other week.
School district response
Middle Township School District confirmed the arrest on Oct. 19 and said Crafts had been terminated from her position. Superintendent Stephanie DeRose released a statement emphasizing the district’s commitment to student safety, noting, “Our responsibility is to protect our students, follow appropriate procedures, and ensure that those entrusted with caring for and educating our children meet the standards expected of them.”
Community impact
The case has raised concerns among parents and community members about the conduct of school staff and the importance of thorough background checks. While the investigation continues, local law‑enforcement officials urge anyone with additional information to contact the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
