Bergen County Man Charged With Multiple Sex Crimes Offenses

Friday, July 11, 2025, 7:35 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

FAIR LAWN, NJ.- On Wednesday, following an investigation, a 33-year-old Midland Park, New Jersey, man, and a former employee of the Fair Lawn, New Jersey, School District, was taken into custody and jailed after being charged in connection with allegedly committing lewd acts inside of a middle school in Fair Lawn, New Jersey.

     According to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, the Fair Lawn Police Department contacted the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit regarding an alleged lewd incident that had occurred on the property of Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and an investigation was launched.

Stewart Unlawfully Entered The School And Masturbated

     During the ensuing investigation, Detectives of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Fair Lawn Police Department quickly determined that on two dates in July 2025, John C. Stewart, 33, of Midland Park, New Jersey, a former employee of the school district, unlawfully entered the middle school at different hours of the day and masturbated in various areas of the school building.

Children Were Present, But Stewart Did Not Come In Contact With Them

     Detectives further determined that on one occasion, children were present in the building for a summer activity. At this time, Detectives found no evidence that Stewart directly approached any child present at the school. The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation or other information regarding similar conduct by Stewart is asked to contact the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at (201) 226-5532. 

     Accordingly, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, as a result of this phase of the investigation, Stewart was taken into custody at the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office in Paramus, New Jersey, and formally charged with one count of second-degree Sexual Assault by Sexual Contact; one count of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child; two counts of third-degree Burglary; one count of third-degree Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact; one count of fouth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact; one count of fourth-degree Lewdness; one count of fourth-degree Trespassing; and a Disorderly Persons Offense of Lewdness. 

     Police reported that it should be noted that the sexual assault by sexual contact and the aggravated criminal sexual contact charges, among others, are a direct result of the acts of masturbation by Stewart. 

     Stewart was processed on the charges and was remanded to the Bergen County Jail, pending future court proceedings in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, New Jersey.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”