Former Sayreville Middle School Teacher, Wrestling Coach John Denuto Sentenced for Child Sexual Abuse

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ -- Former Sayreville Middle School teacher and wrestling coach John Denuto has been sentenced to seven years in prison for sexually abusing minors after admitting to inappropriate sexual misconduct with two victims, according to multiple media reports.

Denuto, 47, of Spotswood pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child and other offenses on April 14, 2023. He 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. Denuto's sentencing was given credit for 657 days already served, according to NJ.com , which also reported that the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office recommended a seven-year prison term while dropping 26 of the charges as part of a plea agreement. Related: Sentencing Scheduled for Former Sayreville Wrestling Coach and Special Ed Teacher Prosecutors said Denuto exploited his position as both a teacher and a wrestling coach to meet and abuse his victims. An investigation by the 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 and other 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. The police investigation revealed John Denuto to be associated with the following schools and wrestling organizations:

• 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
• Piscataway High School
• South Brunswick High School
• Spotswood High School
• Woodbridge High School
• 7th & 8th Woodbridge Recreation Program

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