Cranford Teacher Who Said He'd 'Shoot Up' School Pleads Guilty

CRANFORD, NJ - A Cranford-based special education teacher admitted to making a perceived general threat against the school where he worked late last year, according to acting Union County Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan.

Matthew Acosta, 34, of Kenilworth pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, a petty disorderly persons offense, during a court hearing before state Superior Court Judge Joseph P. Donohue Thursday morning.

A joint investigation by members of the Prosecutor’s Office and the Cranford Police Department determined that on Thursday, Nov. 1 Acosta made a comment to a colleague at Orange Avenue School in Cranford indicating that he might commit an act of gun violence at the school, according to Prosecutor’s Office Investigations Supervisor John Esmerado, who prosecuted the case. Moments later, Acosta indicated that he was not being serious when he made the remark.

According to the State v. Acosta complaint affidavit, Acosta, who has been employed at the school since May of 2018, was having difficulty adjusting to being a special education teacher. The complaint notes that Acosta had several disciplinary infractions and and exhibited anger issues directed at a pair of teachers he directly worked with in the classroom.

"Matthew was adamant that his co-teachers were out to get him and he should just bring a gun to school and shoot up the place," the complaint reads.

According to the complaint, Acosta was adamant his co-teachers were "out to get him."

Acosta was arrested the next day without incident and later remanded pending a mental health evaluation for dangerousness; that evaluation indicated that Acosta was not believed to be a danger to himself or others, and he was released pending adjudication of the case.

His release prompted an increase in security at Orange Avenue School.

"Because this threat was specifically affecting Orange Avenue School we are increasing our presence there but we will not be taking resources away from anything to do so," Greco said. "We'll have plainclothes officers and patrol guys there as well."

Acosta forfeited his position as a teacher in the Cranford Public School District and will be permanently banned from ever again holding any public office in New Jersey, including any teaching position, according to the terms set down by Judge Donohue during sentencing Thursday. He also is permanently banned from ever again visiting any Cranford Public School District property, officials said.

(Photo courtesy of Google Earth)

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