Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, and Montgomery Township Police Director Captain Thomas Wain announced the arrest of Edward Atoeff, 84, of Montgomery Township.
Prosecutor Robertson states that on Feb. 12th two adult victims reported to Montgomery Police that they were sexually assaulted repeatedly by defendant Edward Atoeff at the ages of 8-years-old and 12 years old respectively.
As a result of receiving this information, an investigation was initiated by detectives assigned to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit and the Montgomery Township Police Department’s detective bureau.
Detectives arrested Atoeff without incident at his residence on March 19th after an investigation revealed that the victims were sexually assaulted by the defendant.
Based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview potential witnesses and victims, detectives have determined that defendant Atoeff sexually assaulted the two victims as well as engaged in sexual contact with at least seven additional victims dating back to the 1960’s.
According to officials, Atoeff would encounter the majority of his victims while working in the capacity of a school bus driver for Jastyke Transportation, which defendant owned and operated.
Authorities ultimately charged Atoeff with two counts of first degree, aggravated sexual assault and two counts of second degree, sexual assault. Defendant Atoeff was lodged in the Somerset County Jail, pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor, and Captain Wain request anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Montgomery Township Police Department at (908) 359-3222.
These charges are merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.