A Sayreville War Memorial High School (SWMHS) teacher has been indicted for child endangerment, criminal sexual contact, and official misconduct for engaging in inappropriate conduct with several high school students.
Eric Pieklo, 51, of South Amboy, the Woodshop teacher at SWMHS, was charged on June 11 with five counts of endangering the welfare of a child in the second degree, seven counts of criminal sexual contact with students in the fourth degree, six counts of official misconduct in the second degree, and one count participating in a pattern of official misconduct in the second degree, according to information provided by Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey.
The indictment was handed up following a presentation to the grand jury by Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Jody Carbone.
Pieklo was indicted following an investigation by Detective Sean McGrath of the Sayreville Police Department and Detective Mark Morris of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
The investigation determined that from June through December 2018, Pieklo allegedly engaged in inappropriate conduct with three students at his workshop located in South Amboy as well as at the Sayreville school, according to the statement. This included the inappropriate touching of students as well as inappropriate comments made to those students, officials said.
Pieklo also allegedly provided two students with marijuana and alcohol at his workshop located in South Amboy.
He remains suspended with pay from the SWMHS where he was employed as a Woodshop teacher for 14 years with tenure.
The investigation is active and is continuing. Anyone with information should call McGrath at 732-727-4444 or Morris at 732-745-4194.