Morris County Teacher Accused of Lewd Act Near Bus Stop Headed for Probation Program

The former private school teacher accused of masturbating in the back of his car while watching a bus stop in Morris County has been accepted into a pre-trial intervention program.

John Watson, who was arrested in December 2014 and charged with four counts of lewdness, will enter the probation program and be required to complete 100 hours of community service, pay fines, and take a psychosexual evaluation, along with random urine monitoring, nj.com reported.

Watson, of New Brunswick, has had his New Jersey teaching licenses officially revoked as well.

Watson was arrested after police received a report that a man was sitting in his vehicle masturbating while watching a bus stop in Denville. Watson left the scene but was tracked down shortly thereafter when police found his license plate.

In addition to being a music teacher, Watson also ran John Watson Productions, where he tutored students privately on a variety of instruments.

Police said at the time of the arrest Watson had done the same thing three times prior, but would not explain how that information came about.

The ex-teacher resigned his post at Morris Catholic after the arrest.

Pre-Trial Intervention is a rehabilitative program for first-time, non-violent offenders, and once it is completed charges are dismissed and there is no record of conviction.

Subscribe to a free email newsletter and breaking news alerts by clicking on the Patch town name:
Long Valley • Mendham-Chester • Morristown • Parsippany • Hackettstown • Morris Township • Jefferson • Hopatcong-Sparta • East Hanover-Florham Park • Madison • Chatham • Montville • Tri-Boro