Sentencing Scheduled for Former Piscataway Wrestling Coach

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ -- Sentencing of John Denuto, a former special education teacher at Sayreville Middle School and former wrestling coach at Piscataway High School and numerous other schools and organizations, is scheduled for this week.

Denuto, 46, of Spotswood pleaded guilty to Endangering the Welfare of a Child and other offenses on April 14, 2023. Denuto was originally scheduled to be sentenced by the Honorable Benjamin S. Bucca, J.S.C., on Sept. 8, 2023, but there have been several legal delays.

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Prosecutors said Denuto exploited his position as both a teacher and a wrestling coach to meet and abuse his victims. An investigation by Sayreville Police and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined Denuto had criminal sexual contact with a juvenile and possessed child sexual exploitive materials that he had created by filming and photographing the minor. Further investigation revealed Denuto was in possession of additional sexual materials.

On April 22, 2021, Denuto was indicted on one count of first-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, one count of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, three counts of third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, eight counts of third-degree Invasion of Privacy, six counts of third-degree Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact, six counts of fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact, two counts of third-degree Witness Tampering, and one count of third-degree Hindering His Own Apprehension.

Denuto pleaded before Judge Bucca on Friday, April 14, 2023, to one count of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, one count of third-degree Endangering, and one count of fourth-degree Invasion of Privacy. He is subject to a sentence of seven years and will be on parole supervision for life and must register under Megan’s Law.

The police investigation revealed Denuto to be associated with the following schools, wrestling organizations, and wrestling clubs:

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• Piscataway High School
• Sayreville Middle School
• Sayreville High School
• Camden Catholic High School (Cherry Hill)
• Johnson High School (Clark)
• Union County College (Cranford)
• CJA Wrestling Club (East Brunswick)
• St. Thomas Aquinas High School (formerly Bishop Ahr HS) (Edison)
• Freehold High School
• Raritan High School (Hazlet Township)
• Peddie High School (Hightstown)
• Saint John Vianney (Holmdel)
• Middletown North High School
• Monroe High School
• Saint Joseph High School (Montvale)
• Rhino's Wrestling Club (Morganville)
• 7th & 8th Grade Old Bridge Recreation Program
• Pennsville High School
• South Brunswick High School
• Spotswood High School
• Woodbridge High School
• 7th & 8th Woodbridge Recreation Program

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