ROCKAWAY — A onetime Roxbury High School Assistant Principal was indicted on five counts of sexual offenses related to an alleged improper relationship with a minor in a case brought by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Prosecutor Fredric Knapp and Rockaway Township Police under the direction of Chief Martin McParland Jr.
Charged by a Morris County Grand Jury was Roger Schneider, 57, Rockaway Township.
He was indicted on one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (a second degree crime), two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact (third degree crimes) and two counts of Criminal Sexual Contact (fourth degree crimes).
The indictment states that between August 1, 2013 and January 1, 2015, the defendant purposely committed acts of sexual contact with a minor who was at least 13-years-old, but less than 16-years-old. At the time, the minor was living with the defendant in Rockaway Township.
Thursday’s indictment supersedes an earlier indictment of Schneider. A second indictment was necessary to address technical, legal issues raised by the defense, which are now moot.
Schneider, who is a former Clifton police officer, was arrested in April, 2015. After the arrest, Schneider was placed on administrative leave by the Roxbury School District. Schneider also resigned his seat on the Morris Hills Regional Board of Education after he was arrested.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank theMorris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit and Rockaway Township Police for their work on this case.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
