By: Yuritza Arroyo
Mercer County authorities announced that a former teacher at Steinert High School in Hamilton has been arrested and charged with one count of second-degree sexual assault and one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
According to officials, Joseph DePuglio, 76, of Ewing, was arrested on Monday, March 27, following an investigation conducted by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit and the Ewing Police Department.
He was released pending future court proceedings.
Officials say the victim, now an adult, reported the allegations to Ewing police at the end of 2022, and an investigation ensued.
DePuglio is accused of having a sexual relationship with the victim while having supervisory or disciplinary power over her.
The offenses occurred at DePuglio’s Ewing Township residence between the years of 1998 and 2000 when he was actively employed as the victim’s teacher at Steinert High School.