The Hackettstown educator has denied the charges.
New Jersey has suspended the teaching credentials of a Hackettstown educator accused of sexually assaulting a student.
Michael J. Martino, a resident of East Stroudsburg, Pa., has denied the charges and argued against the suspension, according to an order published by the New Jersey Department of Education's State Board of Examiners.
Martino, who was 41 when he was charged in 2015, is accused of multiple sexual acts on a female student from 2009 when she was 16 through June 2011 at Hackettstown High School.
He turned himself in to Warren County authorities in August 2015, where he was charged with one count each of sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child and official misconduct. Each crime carries a potential 10-year state prison sentence.
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Martino was indicted in April 6, 2016.
One year later to the day, the board of examiners used the indictment as justification to suspend Martino's teaching certifications, which date back to 1997.
According to the board's order, Martino argued in a letter that the suspension was premature and should not be issued until the criminal case is resolved. It noted that Martino has left his teaching position.
The board, however, said the state wants to "protect public school pupils from contact with individuals whom it deemed to be dangerous. Individuals convicted of crimes such as Sexual Assault, Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Official Misconduct fall squarely within this category."
Further action is pending the outcome of the case.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.