Former Elizabeth Teacher Sexually Assaulted Student Over 5 Years: Prosecutor

ELIZABETH, NJ — A former Elizabeth middle school teacher has been charged with sexually assaulting a student many times over about five years during the 1990s, acting Union County Prosecutor Thomas K. Isenhour announced Wednesday.

Robert Goodlin, 75, has been charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault of a minor, second-degree sexual assault of a minor, second-degree sexual assault by force or coercion, third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, Isenhour said.

The alleged incidents occurred from 1993 into 1998, when Goodlin worked as an industrial technology teacher at Joseph Battin School No. 4 on South Broad Street in Elizabeth, according to Unit Supervisor and Assistant Prosecutor Caroline Lawlor, who is prosecuting the case.

The victim, who was younger than 18 during the alleged abuse, was sexually assaulted at his Elizabeth home, in the Goodlin's vehicle in Elizabeth and multiple times at the Goodlin's cabin located in North Jersey, Lawlor said.

Goodlin was arrested without incident Tuesday and lodged in Union County Jail pending a first appearance scheduled to take place Wednesday.

Goodlin could face 10 to 20 years in state prison on the first-degree criminal charges and five to 10 years on second-degree crimes.

Anyone with further information about Goodlin is being urged to contact Special Victims Unit Detective Annie Coll at 908-965-3876.

(Image via Google Maps: Exterior of Joseph Battin School No. 4 on South Broad Street in Elizabeth)

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