Former Hammonton High School Marching Band Director Charged With Sexual Assault Of 16-Year-Old
By Todd Quinones
HAMMONTON, N.J., (CBS) -- A Hammonton man employed as a high school marching band director has been charged with the sexual assault of a 16-year-old student, Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced on Thursday.
Law enforcement can't find him, and his landlord and neighbors tells CBS 3 he apparently left his apartment in a hurry.
Hammonton High School Marching Band Director Jason Koenig is a wanted man.
He's charged with the sexual assaulting a 16-year-old student at the school.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor's office tells CBS3 the 26-year-old lives here along the 600 block of Wilbur Avenue and a warrant has been issued for his arrest, but they don't know where he is.
Off camera his landlord told me just days ago Koenig and a man said to be his dad came asking to break the lease, claiming they had a family emergency in North Carolina and had to leave.
In the meantime, Thursday night there was a special meeting between band parents, students and district administrators.
"Definitely I am concerned, because my child is involved with band," parent Chrissie Rodriguez said.
"It's chaotic. There have been rumors going around school about some of my very close friends and I know it's not them and it's kind of sad that people are tearing other people apart," student Lauren Rivera said.
We were not allowed inside the meeting and no one from the district would speak to us.
The prosecutor's office alleges the assaults happened in November and December of last year, and the warrant was issued following a week long investigation into the marching band director.
Neighbors tell me Koenig lived in this apartment since March.
"Seemed like a nice guy, kept to himself. He's quiet. He would waive hi when I would see him," neighbor Jeff Edminster said.
Koenig is facing charges of Official Misconduct, a 2nd degree crime, Sexual Assault, a 2nd degree crime, Criminal Sexual Contact, a 4th degree crime, and Endangering the Welfare of Children, a 2nd degree crime.
Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Mark Sandson has set bail at $200,000 cash full.
Anyone who knows Jason Koening's whereabouts is being urged to call police immediately: Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit Detective Danielle Rosiello at (609)-909-7986 or Hammonton Police Detective Peter Hagerty at (609)-561-4000, ext. 231.
