NJ Fencing Coach's Jail Death Being Investigated By Prosecutor's Office

SOMERVILLE, NJ — Authorities are now investigating after a New Jersey fencing coach, accused of sexually assaulting two girls, died in jail, according to New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.

Stephen Kovacs, 49, of Ridge Road in Watchung, died on Saturday, Jan. 15 while at the Somerset County Jail, said AG's Public Information Officer Peter Aseltine.

The investigation of his death is being handled by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

"The AG’s Office transferred the investigation to Morris County from Somerset County to avoid any potential appearance of a conflict of interest," said Aseltine.

The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability will support Morris County’s investigation and will review the results of that investigation.

No further information is being released at this time. It is unclear how Kovacs died in jail.

Kovacs had been in jail in Somerville since Oct. 22, 2021, on charges of two counts of second-degree sexual assault and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, said Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson.

Kovacs was the owner and founder at Kaprica United Fencing Academy in Bridgewater and also formerly served as the Ridge High School head boys fencing coach in Basking Ridge. He also served as a fencing coach for Duke University and previously for Stevens Institute of Technology, according to Kovacs' LinkedIn page.

• Read More: Fencing Instructor Sexually Assaulted Girls In Bridgewater: Cops

The charges were filed after a 16-year-old girl told the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office on Sept. 30, 2021, that she was sexually assaulted by fencing instructor Kovacs, Robertson said.
The girl also said the sexual assault had occurred in Bridgewater from August to September 2021, according to Robertson.

On Oct. 7, 2021, a 19-year-old girl also reported being sexually assaulted by Kovacs at the age of 18, said Robertson.

The 19-year-old girl said the sexual assaults occurred in Bridgewater from January 2020 to December 2020, said Robertson.

Kovacs was arrested Oct. 13 at the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office by detectives from the Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit. Kovacs was taken to the Somerset County Jail pending a bail detention hearing.

On Oct. 19, Kovacs was released from the Somerset County Jail as a result of his detention hearing.

A follow-up investigation found that Kovacs provided false statements under oath during his detention hearing, authorities said. On Oct. 22, Kovacs was arrested at his home by members of the prosecutor's office and charged with fourth-degree false swearing.

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