Jackson Teacher Charged With Sexual Assault Of Teen: Prosecutor

JACKSON, NJ — A Jackson Township teacher and basketball coach has been charged with repeatedly sexually abusing a teenager going back to the summer of 2018, the Ocean County prosecutor's office announced Monday evening.

William J. O'Neill, 52, was arrested on Sunday evening, a day after the abuse allegations came to light, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

The victim is between the ages of 13 and 16, and the alleged abuse started during the summer of 2018 and continued until it was disclosed on Saturday, prosecutors said.

Billhimer said O'Neill is a basketball coach at Jackson Memorial High School. Whether he coached girls or boys is unclear, as the school district website lists only head coaches for the two teams.

A cached version of O'Neill's teacher page from the website shows he is a math teacher at the high school, primarily teaching algebra and geometry.

O'Neill is charged with aggravated sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

He is being held at the Ocean County jail in Toms River awaiting a detention hearing, but the prosecutor's office said the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Detective Stephanie Bayha of the prosecutor's office at 732-929-2027 or Jackson Detective Michael Goelz at 732-928-1111.

Note: This article has been updated to correct O'Neill's age.

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William O'Neill photo provided by the Ocean County prosecutor's office