Ex-Teacher Had Inappropriate Relations With Atlantic County Students: Prosecutor

GALLOWAY, NJ — A Galloway man and former Atlantic County Institute of Technology (ACIT) teacher received multiple criminal charges stemming from "multiple inappropriate relationships" he had with students, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said.

Peter Thompson, 51, is no longer employed at ACIT and was charged with multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a child, criminal sexual contact and official misconduct, officials said.

The investigation began in early 2022, when ACIT officials "promptly" notified police that a student had shared "several instances of inappropriate sexual behavior" by Thompson, officials said.

As the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office investigated, they uncovered "multiple complaints" from other ACIT students, officials said.

It is not clear what these "relationships" entailed or when Thompson stopped working at ACIT.

Thompson was arrested in Galloway and taken to the Atlantic County Justice Facility pending a detention hearing.

The Prosecutor's Office said it is continuing to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office website.