Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and West Milford Chief Timothy Storbeck announce the arrest of Christopher Shenise, 32, of Vernon, New Jersey.
Officials say Mr. Shenise, a teacher at West Milford High School, was charged on todat with one count of Second Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, one count of Third Degree Official Misconduct, and one count of Fourth Degree Abuse, Cruelty, and Neglect after an investigation conducted by the Special Victims Unit of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office in conjunction with the West Milford Police Department.
Officials say it is alleged that Mr. Shenise engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with a seventeen year old teenage victim, A.M., in November of 2018, specifically by asking for sexual videos of A.M. in exchange for money.
According to officials,’A.M., was a student at the school during the time period.
Endangering the Welfare of a Child carries a maximum term of ten years in New Jersey State Prison and also carries the imposition of Megan’s Law and Parole Supervision for Life.
Official Misconduct carries a maximum term of five years in New Jersey State Prison and Abuse, Cruelty, and Neglect carries a maximum term of eighteen months in New Jersey State Prison.
Mr. Shenise was remanded to Passaic County Jail and is pending his first appearance scheduled for February 9, 2019 in Passaic County Superior Court according to officials.
Juvenile Detective Donald Fantasia of the West Milford Police Department is the lead detective on the case and is asking for anybody with further information to contact him at 973-728-2808 or d.fantasia@wmtpd.org.
All inquiries regarding the employment status of Mr. Shenise should be directed to the West Milford Board of Education.