Jessica Sawicki is a former New Jersey teacher, 37 at the time of her April 2024 arrest, charged with ten criminal counts for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student at Hamilton High School West in Mercer County. She faces five counts of second-degree sexual assault and five counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. A judge released her pending trial, and in December 2025 the New Jersey State Board of Examiners accepted her relinquishment of all seven of her teaching certificates, an action carrying the force of a permanent revocation.1New Jersey Department of Education. In the Matter of the Certificates of Jessica L. (Zipko) Sawicki, Docket No. 2425-305
How the Allegations Surfaced
During the 2023–2024 school year, several staff members at Hamilton High School West told their principal they believed Sawicki was having an inappropriate relationship with a male senior and spending time with him without a clear professional reason. The principal spoke with her about boundaries.2Asbury Park Press. Teacher Accused of Sex With Student Freed From Jail to Care for Kids
In January 2024, the district placed Sawicki on administrative leave after she admitted to what officials described as inappropriate conduct, including giving the student small gifts and passes to leave class. She was ordered not to contact him. The assigned prosecutor said she defied that order and continued the relationship.2Asbury Park Press. Teacher Accused of Sex With Student Freed From Jail to Care for Kids
The Wildlife Area Encounter
On Sunday, April 7, 2024, a lieutenant with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife found a vehicle blocking access to Assunpink Lake at the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area in Upper Freehold Township. Inside, the officer found Sawicki and the 17-year-old student in states of undress in the back seat. The encounter was captured on the lieutenant’s body-worn camera.2Asbury Park Press. Teacher Accused of Sex With Student Freed From Jail to Care for Kids3Daily Voice. Jessica Sawicki Arrest Sawicki was arrested without incident the following day.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Bureau led the investigation, working with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey State Police. Monmouth County took the lead because the alleged sexual encounters occurred within its jurisdiction.4Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. Teacher Charged With Engaging in Sexual Relationship With Student
The Charges
Prosecutors charged Sawicki with five counts of second-degree sexual assault and five counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, reflecting allegations that she had sexual contact with the student on several occasions at the wildlife area, with the conduct beginning earlier in 2024.4Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. Teacher Charged With Engaging in Sexual Relationship With Student5Patch. Hamilton West English Teacher Met Student at Park for Sex
Under New Jersey law, sexual contact between a school employee with supervisory or disciplinary power over a student constitutes second-degree sexual assault regardless of whether the student is above the general age of consent.6Justia. New Jersey Revised Statutes Section 2C:14-2 Second-degree crimes in New Jersey generally carry a prison term of five to ten years per count.
Release Pending Trial
Prosecutors asked the court to keep Sawicki detained without bail. Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Richard W. English overruled that request and ordered her released under conditions: no contact with the victim, no unsupervised contact with anyone under 18 apart from her own two children, and check-ins with court staff every two weeks.2Asbury Park Press. Teacher Accused of Sex With Student Freed From Jail to Care for Kids
Loss of Teaching Credentials
On December 12, 2025, the New Jersey State Board of Examiners voted to accept Sawicki’s voluntary relinquishment of all seven of her teaching certificates. The board’s order states that the relinquishment carries “the force and effect of a revocation,” treating it as a permanent revocation with all accompanying consequences under state regulations. The certificates spanned preschool through sixth grade, students with disabilities, and English, with issuance dates ranging from 2009 to 2015. She was ordered to return the physical certificates within 30 days.1New Jersey Department of Education. In the Matter of the Certificates of Jessica L. (Zipko) Sawicki, Docket No. 2425-305
Where the Criminal Case Stands
Assistant Prosecutor Keri-Leigh Schaefer of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit is handling the prosecution, and Sawicki is represented by defense attorney Edward Cridge.4Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. Teacher Charged With Engaging in Sexual Relationship With Student No plea agreement, trial, or sentencing has been publicly reported. Sawicki remains released pending trial on the ten counts filed against her in April 2024.