New Jersey Teacher Arrested in Prostitution-Related Scheme

A New Jersey teacher, Amanda Crafts, was arrested in connection with a prostitution-related scheme. The incident involved robbing a man who was restrained and subjected to sexual acts in a casino hotel room. Crafts, 35, a former computer teacher at Middle Township Middle School, was identified by the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

Her accomplice, Veda Engel, 23, of Cape May, was also charged in the incident that occurred on October 9. Engel has a history of prostitution-related offenses. According to reports, the victim was approached by the two women at a bar in an Atlantic City hotel.

After an exchange of phone numbers with Engel, the victim reportedly visited the women’s hotel room. Inside, the two women allegedly stripped him and restrained him on the bed. Engel performed sexual acts on him, later stating, “That’s what you get for $1,250,” as per the complaint.

During this time, Crafts reportedly held the victim down while Engel accessed his phone using facial recognition. She then made four Apple Pay transactions totaling $1,250 to her account. The victim stated that these transactions were unauthorized and in exchange for sexual acts.

In her court appearance, Crafts asserted that she had been in the wrong place at the wrong time. She mentioned her employment as a teacher and her status as a first-time offender. Crafts has four children and taught in the school’s special area department.

The school district has since fired Crafts, emphasizing their commitment to student safety and proper procedural conduct. Superintendent Stephanie DeRose stressed the importance of ensuring that those in charge of student care uphold expected standards.

Engel is employed at SoFresh SoClean Commercial Cleaning in Ocean City, as stated by her attorney. This incident was not her first brushing with the law, as she reportedly engaged in a similar transaction with an undercover detective last year.

Following their release on October 15, both Crafts and Engel received pretrial release conditions. The conditions require them to check in with the court biweekly.