Former center faculty instructor charged with sexual assault of minor in Gloucester County

WASHINGTON TWP, N.J. – A former Orchard Valley Middle School instructor was arrested Thursday and charged with sexual assault of a minor, endangering the welfare of a kid, and official misconduct, in line with Gloucester County Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns.

Teacher accused of sexual relationship with pupil

What we all know:

Prosecutors say Ashley A. Fisler, 36, was arrested after an investigation revealed she had an illegal sexual relationship with a pupil in 2021, when the sufferer was a minor and Fisler was their instructor.

“The victim described multiple sexual encounters occurring in 2021 in Fisler’s vehicle and in her classroom,” in line with paperwork filed within the case.

Investigators say textual content messages between Fisler and the sufferer confirmed the illegal sexual nature of their relationship. 

Fisler is now not employed as a instructor in Washington Township or anyplace else.

Charges and potential penalties

Fisler faces six counts of first-degree sexual assault of a minor, one depend of second-degree endangering the welfare of a kid, and one depend of second-degree official misconduct. 

Each first-degree cost carries a most of 20 years in state jail, and every second-degree cost carries a most of 10 years.

Fisler is being held within the Salem County Jail and has her first listening to scheduled for Friday, March 27.

If convicted, she may face years in jail. 

The backstory:

The investigation started after the sufferer, now an grownup, disclosed the alleged relationship on Jan. 23, 2026. 

The Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s and High-Tech Crimes Units, together with the Washington Township Police Department, led the investigation.

Prosecutor Johns credited each companies for his or her work within the case.

Parents within the space say they’re unsettled by the information. 

“Scary, you know you hear about it in Florida or somewhere. This is too close to us, literally right across the street,” stated Eric Sebastian, a dad or mum of Orchard Valley Middle School college students. 

The Washington Township School District emailed mother and father concerning the fees. 

The superintendent stated the district takes the protection and well-being of its college students extraordinarily significantly and that Fisler has not been employed on the center faculty since April 2023. 

Local perspective:

Neighbors say they’re shocked and sickened by the allegations. 

“Vulnerable kids, horrible, trusted adults,” stated Olivia Axelrod, who lives throughout the road from the college. 

Parents and neighbors say the information is troublesome to course of, particularly given the proximity to their houses and the college. 

“If she was parked here, that’s too close, but in the classroom. It’s even worse,” stated Sebastian. 

Some mother and father say they checked to see if their kids had Fisler as a instructor. 

“When I read that email, I’m like Oh My God. It’s too close. I was looking back at the year, if my kids was in this year,” stated Lea Sebastian. 

Other neighbors say they see college students come and go on daily basis and are shocked by what occurred so near house. 

“Honestly it’s unbelievable to even think that could happen and also nobody saw it, you know. It’s horrible,” stated Axelrod. 

What we do not know:

Authorities haven’t launched additional particulars concerning the investigation or whether or not there could also be extra victims. 

The final result of Fisler’s first court docket listening to will not be but recognized.