UPDATE: Middle Township High School Teacher Charged with Sexual Assault

COURT HOUSE – Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor and Middle Township Police Chief Christopher Leusner announce the arrest of Middle Township High School teacher, Joseph Towns, 34, of the 3900 block of Bayshore Road in North Cape May.
The State alleges that, while employed by Middle Township High School as an English teacher, Towns committed crimes against a Middle Township High School student from October 2012 through October 2013, while he had supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim by virtue of his occupational status.
At approximately 1:00 p.m. today, July 22, Towns surrendered himself at the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, where he was placed into custody. Judge John C. Porto set bail at $175,000 cash/bond, no 10 percent. Towns was processed and lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility where he posted the required bail.
Towns was charged with sexual assault, a second degree crime, endangering the welfare of a child, a second degree crime, criminal sexual contact, a fourth degree crime, official misconduct, a second degree crime, possession of child pornography, a third degree crime, and obscenity of persons under 18, a third degree crime.
The Middle Township Board of Education released the following statement acknowledging the charges:
The Middle Township Board of Education has been advised that the Cape May County Prosecutor’s office charged one of its High School employees, Joseph Towns, with several criminal offenses alleging inappropriate behavior towards a Middle Township High School Student. While all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty, when the Board was first advised of the investigation it suspended Towns from his position and removed him from any contact with students. The Board will continue to monitor the situation and conduct its own investigation. The Board is committed to continuing to work in the best interest of our children and to provide an excellent education in a healthy and safe environment. The Board urges anyone with questions regarding this situation or anyone with any information regarding any alleged inappropriate conduct of any Middle Township staff member to contact Superintendent, Dr. David Salvo, at 609-465-1800.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.