Hoboken Teacher Charged After 'Explicit' Web Chat With Teen: Prosecutors

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — A Hoboken charter school teacher accused of having an "explicit" social media conversation with a 14-year-old girl now faces criminal charges, officials announced Thursday.

Former Elysian Charter School teacher Eric Schau, of Jersey City, was arrested outside his home Wednesday on charges that he endangered the welfare of a child, according to the Hudson County Prosecutor's office.

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Was Terminated

Schau, 32, has been terminated by Elysian Charter, where records show he started teaching middle school science during the 2020-2021 school year, officials said.

The Jersey City man stands accused of chatting on the instant messaging platform Discord with a 14-year-old girl in another state, prosecutors said.

"The investigation revealed Schau shared an explicit image and received child sex abuse material from a 14-year-old female out of state," prosecutors wrote in a press release.

Schau was taken to the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance, prosecutors said.

The state has filed a detention motion, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, March 7.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and In-Court Units with the arrest and investigation.

Charter schools are free public schools, often created by parents and educators who apply for a charter from the state. They are considered separate districts from the regular public school district. Students in charter schools in Hudson County are admitted by lottery with a preference given to those in their town (in this case, Hoboken), but other Hudson County students can apply to the lottery as well.