ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – An elementary school substitute teacher and youth baseball coach was charged in connection with the sexual assault of a teen in Morris County, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll.
Joseph Derose Jr., 27, of Rockaway Township has been charged on two separate complaints from Rockaway Township and Rockaway Borough. Each complaint charges him with two counts of second-degree sexual assault with supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim, one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, Carroll said.
It is alleged that Derose Jr., who is a substitute teacher at Catherine A. Dwyer Elementary School in Rockaway Township, had a sexual relationship with the victim from May 2021 through January 2022 when the victim was 16-years-old and while his was his baseball coach for various recreational and school-related teams during the specified time period, Carroll said.
The alleged assaults took place at Derose’s residence, victim’s residence, Oak Meadows Field, and Fitness Factory Gym. The relationship ended when the victim was 17-years-old, Carroll said.
Derose Jr. was arrested on March 16 and then lodged at the Morris County Correctional Facility pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act. A motion for Pretrial Detention was filed on this date and a Detention hearing will be held on March 22, Carroll said.
Anyone with information related to this investigation, is encouraged to call the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-285-6200.
