Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato, along with Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano, announced today the arrest of a former Toms River teacher and a Hillsborough, Somerset County man for Sexual Assault and Endangering the Welfare of a child.
On October 22, 2014, Det. Thomas Grosse of the Toms River Police Department along with Det. Jason Steele of the OCPO/SVU arrested and charged Raymond F. Waters with Sexual Assault and Endangering the Welfare of a Child based upon a 10-month criminal investigation. Judge Joseph Foster, JSC set the bail for both defendants at $75,000, no 10% and ordered a “Nicole’s Law”, restraining order.
The defendant, Raymond F. Waters is a retired teacher from Toms River High School North. According to the victim, Waters was the victim’s art teacher during the student’s freshman year in high school. The victim reported that in 2002 Waters began the sexual abuse. According to the victim, the abuse continued for years.
The victim stated that in the summer of 2003, the defendant Raymond F. Waters introduced the victim to Allan Harbatuk. According to the victim, following this meeting, Harbatuk also began to sexually abuse the victim. These incidents of sexual abuse occurred in both Toms River and Hillsborough Township.
In 2003, the victim worked at Joseph A. Citta Scout Reservation in Barnegat during the summer. During this time, Waters was a Boy Scout leader with Boy Scouts of America. According to the victim, acts of was sexual abuse also occurred at the Joseph A. Citta Reservation. These acts were allegedly committed by both Waters and Harbatuk.
In addition to the arrest of Raymond Waters, Det. Justin Berger from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office charged Allan Harbatuk with Sexual Assault and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Harbatuk was remanded to the Somerset County Jail while Waters was remanded to the Ocean County Jail.