Crime & Safety

NJ Teacher Fired After Police Say She Held Down, Robbed Man In Hotel

The now ex-teacher is accused of helping an accused sex worker hold down a man and steal money from him via Apple Pay, authorities said.

MIDDLE TWP., NJ — A woman accused of helping another woman hold down a man and rob him in an Atlantic City hotel room is no longer employed as a teacher, according to the Middle Township School District.

Superintendent of Schools Stephanie DeRose announced the news in a Monday letter to parents and staff, which was a follow-up to a previous letter announcing the arrest of a middle school teacher.

Neither letter named the teacher, 35-year-old Amanda Crafts. Crafts is charged with robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Find out what's happening in Ocean Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"We understand that this situation may raise questions and concerns," DeRose wrote. "While we recognize the importance of transparency, employee privacy laws and district policies limit the personnel information we can share."

DeRose added that the district could not comment on pending criminal cases.

Find out what's happening in Ocean Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Crafts and Veda Engel, an alleged sex worker, are accused of holding a man down after Engel invited him to her hotel and room to perform a sex act, according to reports.

Instead, the women took his phone and used Apple Pay to send Engel $1,250, authorities said.

Engel was charged with prostitution as well as robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. She had previously been charged with prostitution last December, according to BreakingAC.

READ MORE: NJ Middle School Teacher Held Man Down, Robbed Him In Hotel Room, Reports Say

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.