Amanda Crafts, 35, of Wildwood Crest, New Jersey, a computer teacher at Middle Township Middle School, was arrested two weeks ago in connection with an alleged prostitution scheme and robbery at an Atlantic City casino hotel. Following her arrest, Middle Township Public Schools confirmed on October 19 that Crafts had been fired from her teaching position.
Police reports indicate that Crafts and Veda Engel, 23, of Cape May, were charged in the October 9 incident. The victim reportedly met the two women at a bar within an Atlantic City hotel resort and later joined them in their room. Once inside, the victim stated he was stripped down and physically restrained to the bed. Engel then allegedly forced sexual acts on him before declaring, "That’s what you get for $1,250."
According to reports, Crafts allegedly held the victim down while Engel used his facial recognition to unlock his phone. Engel then reportedly initiated four separate Apple Pay transactions, totaling $1,250, to her own account. A detective noted in affidavits that the victim described these transactions as "made without his consent in exchange for sexual acts."
During her initial court appearance, Crafts told Judge Timothy Maguire via video from the Atlantic County Justice Facility that she was a teacher and had never been arrested before. She also stated, "I was in the wrong place at the wrong time." Crafts, who reportedly has four children, worked in the school’s special area department teaching computers.
Engel, Crafts' friend, also has a history of prostitution-related charges, with one incident dating back to December of the previous year. That prior incident reportedly involved Engel allegedly offering an undercover New Jersey State Police detective sex for $1,000 at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, for which she was released on a summons. Her attorney indicated that Engel works at SoFresh SoClean Commercial Cleaning in Ocean City.
Superintendent Stephanie DeRose of Middle Township Public Schools released a statement on October 19, acknowledging the arrest of a Middle Township teacher and confirming the employee’s termination. DeRose emphasized the district's commitment, stating, "Our responsibility is to protect our students, follow appropriate procedures, and ensure that those entrusted with caring for and educating our children meet the standards expected of them. The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority."
Both Engel and Crafts were released on October 15 after being held for nearly a week. The state consented to their pretrial release, which mandates they check in with the court every other week.