Former Pope John XXIII School Teacher Sentenced To State Prison
Wednesday, November 15, 2024, 4:15 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
SPARTA, NJ.- Last Friday, a 41-year-old former teacher who was employed at two Sussex County, New Jersey Catholic Schools, Pope John XXIII, and Reverend Brown Schools, will be spending the decade in New Jersey State Prison in connection with illegally recording students while teaching and possessing hundreds of digital images of his students.
According to Acting Sussex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray, on Friday, November 15, 2024, Michael F. Wagner, 41, appeared in Sussex County Superior Court and was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Michael C. Gaus to ten years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, which will require Wagner to serve 85% of his custodial term before becoming eligible for parole.
According to documents filed with the court, on October 12, 2022, a joint investigation was launched by the Sparta Police Department’s Detective Bureau and the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit after a teacher at Pope John XXIII came forward after overhearing several students talking about their teacher, Michael Wagner, recording them during class.
Investigation Uncovers Hundreds Of Photos
The investigation involved the forensic examination of Wagner’s cellular phone, computers, and hard drives. During the investigation, Detectives uncovered hundreds of video files and digital images taken and recorded by Wagner of students without their knowledge or consent. Detectives determined Wagner possessed, stored, and viewed digital images and video files depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of children.
Accordingly, following the investigation, Wagner was taken into custody and charged. On May 10, 2024, Wagner appeared in Sussex County Court and pleaded guilty before Judge Gaus to first-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child; and second-degree Manufacturing Child Sexual Abuse Material.
