A former New Jersey social studies teacher is awaiting a bail hearing after being charged with multiple counts of sexual assault against a minor student, with prosecutors alleging the offences took place both inside her classroom and in her car.
Ashley Fisler, 36, of Washington Township in Gloucester County, was arrested last Thursday following a complaint made by the now-adult victim, who alleged the abuse occurred in 2021 while he was a pupil in her class at Orchard Valley Middle School. She appeared via video link for a brief court hearing on Friday, where the charges against her were formally read out. A judge has scheduled a bail hearing for 1 April, and Fisler will remain in custody until that date.
Fisler faces six counts of first-degree sexual assault of a minor, one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of second-degree official misconduct. The first-degree charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while each of the second-degree counts carries a maximum of 10 years.
Court documents obtained by prosecutors allege that text message exchanges between Fisler and the victim corroborated the complainant’s account and included photographic material she had sent him. Fisler denied the allegations when interviewed by Washington Township police on 19 March.
Her defence lawyer, Rocco Cipparone, told reporters he intends to contest prosecutors’ application to hold his client without bail ahead of trial. He cited her lack of any prior criminal record, her long-standing ties to New Jersey, and her status as a property owner as grounds for release. “She is not a risk of flight,” Cipparone said, adding that he was “optimistic” about the outcome of the April hearing.
Cipparone also confirmed that Fisler would contest the charges. “She plans to aggressively present a defence,” he said.
Washington Township School District Superintendent Eric Hibbs confirmed that Fisler’s employment with the district ended in April 2023, though he declined to elaborate on the circumstances. In a statement, he said the district takes matters involving student safety “extremely seriously” and that officials are cooperating fully with law enforcement.
Fisler had previously been described by a district supervisor in 2019 as a “great teacher” who made her lessons “interactive and engaging.” Following her departure from the school, she went on to run an apparel business and worked in an administrative role at her husband’s landscaping company.
The case will return to court on 1 April for the bail determination hearing.
