Even More Charges Filed Against Former Hamilton Twp., NJ, Board of Education Worker
A third round of charges has now been filed against a former employee of the Hamilton Township Board of Education (Atlantic County) who has been accused of sexually assaulting several children.
Initial Arrest in Hamilton Township
At the end of August, 34-year-old Darnell Williams of Whiting was taken into custody after he "allegedly touched an intimate part of a minor child who was under his care in a sexual manner." according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.
At the time of that arrest, the Hamilton Township Police Department did not release many details, but said that following an investigation into a report they received earlier this year, Williams was charged with the following:
- Second-degree sexual assault
- Second-degree endangering the welfare of a child
- Second-degree official misconduct
Additional Victims Identified
An update from Hamilton Township police on Saturday, September 6th, said that as their investigation continued, two more victims, ages 11 and 12, had been identified.
As a result, additional counts of those charges were added.
Third Round of Charges Now Filed
Now, Williams is facing even more charges.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer says on September 17th, Williams was charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child in that jurisdiction.
An investigation by that office and the Manchester Township Police Department, "revealed that in 2015, Williams sexually assaulted a minor female victim who was in his care in Manchester."
Williams will be served with those new charges at the Atlantic County Justice Facility, where he is being held.
Billhimer said in a social media post,
Although the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office does not typically issue press releases in matters such as this due to their sensitive nature and out of respect for the victim’s privacy, this defendant previously held positions supervising minors in Atlantic and Ocean Counties - thereby necessitating this alert to the public.
Employment History and Termination
According to New Jersey 101.5, Williams worked as a school supervisor in the Hamilton Township School District in Atlantic County. Officials placed him on administrative leave and then fired him before the end of the last school year.
Superintendent Jeffery Zito told the station,
As a District, we are committed to the safety, security, and well-being of every student and take any allegations regarding employee misconduct seriously.
Before his most recent position in Atlantic County, he reportedly worked as a teacher in Ocean County, including at the Stafford Intermediate School. He has also coached sports, including the women's basketball team at Ocean County College.
Ongoing Investigation
This remains an active investigation and anyone with additional information can call the Township of Hamilton Police Department at (609) 625-2700 or the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office at (732) 929-2027.
The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Accused NJ sex predator teachers, school staff this year and last
Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt
