New Jersey Wrestling Coach Faces Sentence for Sex Crimes Involving Minors

Lina Portman2 days ago

0 2 minutes read

NEW BRUNSWICK — A former Sayreville teacher who coached wrestling at more than 20 schools and clubs across New Jersey is expected to be sentenced next week on charges of sexual misconduct with minors.

John Denuto, of Spotswood, was scheduled to be sentenced last Friday but the proceedings were postponed due to concerns raised by Denuto's new attorney.

During the brief hearing before Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Thomas Abode, Denuto's attorney, Nicole Atlak, expressed some concerns about her client's assessment.

The latest postponement follows several postponements of Denuto's sentencing date since last fall.

The recent change in the sentencing date may be related to Denuto’s change of attorney. Denuto was represented by attorney Wolodymyr Tyshchenko of the Caruso Smith Picini law firm in Fairfield. An obituary for Tyshchenko, 48, states that he died unexpectedly on Feb. 20, 2024. Aflak works for the same law firm.

In April 2023, Denuto, a former special education teacher at Sayreville Middle School, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, one count of third-degree endangerment and one count of fourth-degree invasion of privacy.

As part of the plea deal, Denuto is expected to face up to seven years in state prison, life on parole and a requirement to register as a sex offender under Megan's Law.

Denuto was arrested in February 2020 following an investigation that revealed he had criminal sexual contact with a minor and possessed sexual exploitation material that he created by filming and photographing the minor.

Court documents say Denuto abused a former middle school student during private tutoring at his home. The sexual assaults occurred multiple times when the student was between the ages of 13 and 15.

An investigation determined that Denuto was in possession of additional child sexual abuse material unrelated to the minor and that he had also photographed the intimate parts of seven other victims without their knowledge and inappropriately touched five of those victims, authorities said.

Denuto was fired as Union County College's head wrestling coach following his arrest.

Authorities learned that Denuto also allegedly sexually assaulted a former student in 2016 while living at the home of a Sayreville school board member.

Court documents show nude videos of one of the victims were found on Denuto's cellphone, which was searched after a warrant was obtained.

Denuto was charged in April 2021 with four counts of endangering the welfare of a child in connection with the filming and possession of child sexual abuse material, six counts of aggravated criminal sexual contact, and six counts of criminal sexual contact. Additionally, he was charged with eight counts of invasion of privacy, two counts of witness tampering, and one count of hindering apprehension.

Denuto had been associated with Rhino's Wrestling Club in Morganville, CJA Wrestling Club in East Brunswick, Sayreville Middle School, Peddie School in Hightstown, Union County College, recreation programs in Woodbridge and Old Bridge, and high schools in Pennsville, Raritan, St. John Vianney, Sayreville, Middletown North, Monroe, South Brunswick Saint Joseph (Montvale), Camden Catholic, Arthur L. Johnson, St. Thomas Aquinas, Woodbridge, Piscataway, Spotswood and Freehold Borough.

Email: [email protected]

Suzanne Russell is a news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courtrooms and other chaos. For unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Lina Portman

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