Hammonton Band Director Jason Koenig Surrenders to Prosecutors; Faces Several Charges Including Sexual Assault

Credit ABC News

MAYS LANDING – A Hammonton man employed as the high school marching band director surrendered himself to law enforcement this morning, and was arraigned for the sexual assault of a 16 year-old student, Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced.

On May 1, 2014, a warrant was issued for the arrest of Jason Koenig, 26, of the 600 block of Wilbur Avenue, Hammonton, NJ, for charges of:

(1) Official Misconduct, a 2nd degree crime,
(2) Sexual Assault, a 2nd degree crime,
(3) Criminal Sexual Contact, a 4th degree crime, and
(4) Endangering the Welfare of Children, a 2nd degree crime.

The State alleges that, while employed by Hammonton High School as an Aide and Marching Band Director, Koenig committed these crimes against a 16 year-old Hammonton High School student in November and December of 2013, while he had supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim by virtue of his occupational status.

At approximately 8:45 a.m. today, May 5. 2014, Koenig surrendered himself at the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, where he was placed in custody, and arraigned before Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Michael A. Donio.

Judge Donio denied Koenig’s application for bail reduction, continuing bail at $200,000 cash or bond, no 10%, and added conditions of bail. In addition to posting bail, Koenig must:

•   Surrender his passport, 
•   Remain in New Jersey, 
•   Have no contact with the victim or the victim’s family, and 
•   Submit to GPS monitoring.
  
• At the conclusion of the proceeding, Judge Donio ordered Koenig lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility in lieu of bail.

***These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.