Former Bridgeton School Teacher Found Guilty Of Sexually Assaulting Preteen Student

Saturday, October 4, 2025, 7:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

BRIIDGETON, NJ.- On Friday, following a nearly month-long trial in Cumberland County Superior Court, a jury convicted a 57-year-old Vineland, New Jersey, man, formerly employed as a teacher with the Bridgeton, New Jersey School District, of sexually assaulting a preteen male student on multiple occasions between 2004 and 2005.

     According to Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae, on Friday, October 3, 2025, following a trial that began on Thursday, September 11, 2025, before Superior Court Judge Niki Arbitter, a jury found Isaias Garza, 57, guilty of second-degree Sexual Assault; and second-degree Witness Tampering/Bribery.

     Following the jury returning their findings of guilt, Judge Arbitter accepted the verdict and scheduled sentencing for January 30, 2026. At that time, Garza faces up to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, which will require Garza to serve 85% of his custodial term for the sexual assault conviction. On the witness tampering conviction, Garza faces a consecutive 10 years in State Prison. 

     In addition to the term of imprisonment, Garza will be subject to parole supervision for life and be required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law.

According To The Evidence Presented At Trial

     According to the evidence and testimony presented at trial, Garza sexually assaulted the child R.H. on multiple occasions beginning in 2004 and lasting into 2005. At the time of the assaults, the child was a sixth-grade male student at the ExCEL School located in Bridgeton, New Jersey. Garza was employed as a teacher at the school during the time when the assaults occurred.

     The Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office also presented evidence that proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Garza interfered with the investigation that began in 2018 by offering the child, R.H., money and other benefits to lie to Investigators about the sexual abuse. Additional charges involving the victim, R.H., and a second victim, I.H., were dismissed prior to the jury returning its guilty verdict.