Teacher, Coach Charged With Sexual Assault In Morris County

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — An elementary school substitute teacher and youth coach was arrested and charged in connection with the sexual assault of a teenager, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said.

Joseph Derose, Jr., 27, of Rockaway Township, has been charged 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.

According to authorities, Derose, Jr. was charged based on two separate complaints from Rockaway Township and Rockaway Borough.

Derose Jr., who worked as a substitute teacher at Catherine A. Dwyer Elementary School in Rockaway Township, is alleged to have sexually assaulted a 16-year-old from May 2021 through January 2022.

The victim was one of Derose Jr.'s baseball players for various recreational and school-related teams during the specified time period, police said.

The alleged assaults occurred at Derose Jr.'s home, the victim's home, Oak Meadows Field, and Fitness Factory Gym. When the victim was 17, the assault ended.

Derose Jr. was arrested on the aforementioned charges on March 16, 2023. Following his arrest, he was lodged at the Morris County Correctional Facility. A motion for pretrial detention was filed, and a detention hearing will be held on March 22, 2023.

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.