New Jersey wrestling coach faces prison sentence for sex crimes with minors

NEW BRUNSWICK – A former Sayreville teacher who taught wrestling at more than 20 schools and clubs in New Jersey will be sentenced next week for sexual misconduct with minors.

John Denuto, of Spotswood, was due to be sentenced last Friday but the proceedings were postponed due to issues raised by Denuto’s new lawyer.

During the brief hearing before Middlesex County District Court Judge Thomas Abode, Denuto’s attorney Nicole Atlak indicated she had concerns about her client’s evaluation.

The latest postponement comes after Denuto’s sentencing date was pushed back several times since last fall.

Recent changes to the sentencing date may be related to a change of attorney for Denuto. Denuto was represented by attorney Wolodymyr Tyshchenko of the Caruso Smith Picini law firm in Fairfield. An obituary for Tyshchenko, 48, states that he died unexpectedly on Feb. 20, 2024. Aflak works for the same law firm.

In April 2023, Denuto, a former special education teacher at Sayreville Middle School, pleaded guilty to one count of endangering the welfare of a child in the second degree, one count of endangering the welfare of a child in the third degree, and one count of invasion of privacy in the fourth degree.

As part of the plea agreement, Denuto is expected to serve seven years in prison, be on lifetime supervised release and register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law.

Denuto was arrested in February 2020 after an investigation revealed that he had engaged in criminal sexual contact with a minor and was in possession of sexually exploitative material created by filming and photographing the minor.

Court documents allege that Denuto abused a former high school student during private tutoring sessions at his home. The sexual assaults occurred multiple times when the student was between 13 and 15 years old.

Investigation revealed that Denuto was in possession of additional child sexual abuse material unrelated to the minor. He also allegedly took photographs of the private parts of seven other victims without their knowledge. He allegedly touched five of them inappropriately, authorities said.

Following his arrest, Denuto was fired as head coach of the Union County College wrestling team.

Officials learned that Denuto also allegedly abused a former student in 2016 while living with a Sayreville school board member.

Court documents show that nude videos of one of the victims were found on Denuto’s cell phone. The cell phone was searched after a search warrant was issued.

Denuto was indicted in April 2021 on four counts of endangering the welfare of a child in connection with filming and possessing child pornography, six counts of aggravated criminal sexual contact, and six counts of criminal sexual contact. He was also indicted on eight counts of invasion of privacy, two counts of witness tampering, and one count of hindering apprehension.

Denuto was affiliated with Rhino’s Wrestling Club in Morganville, CJA Wrestling Club in East Brunswick, Sayreville Middle School, Peddie School in Hightstown, Union County College, Woodbridge and Old Bridge recreation programs, and Pennsville, Raritan, St. John Vianney, Sayreville, Middletown North, Monroe, South Brunswick Saint Joseph (Montvale), Camden Catholic, Arthur L. Johnson, St. Thomas Aquinas, Woodbridge, Piscataway, Spotswood and Freehold Borough high schools.

Email address: [email protected]

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. For unlimited access, subscribe or activate your digital account today.

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New Jersey wrestling coach faces prison sentence for sex crimes with minors

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