Ex-Hopatcong Teacher Sentenced For Kissing Middle Schooler

HOPATCONG, NJ — A former Hopatcong teacher was sentenced to jail time today after pleading guilty to kissing a 14-year-old student, the New Jersey Herald reported.

Eric Strand, 58, of Mount Olive was sentenced to three years in jail after he pled guilty to endangering the welfare of a child and criminal sexual contact for kissing and touching the buttocks of a female middle schooler in June of 2016. As part of a plea deal, he will be required to register as a sex offender.

Strand was working as an eighth grade social studies teacher at Hopatcong Middle School at the time. He retired from teaching in July after 19 years, shortly after he was arrested.

Before his arrest, Strand volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America and was the middle school's ski club advisor. He was banned for life from Boy Scouts.

Image via Shutterstock

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.