A former teacher at Steinert High School in Hamilton has been arrested and charged with one count of second-degree sexual assault and one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child for having a sexual relationship with a female student more than two decades ago, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s office.

Joseph DePuglio, 76, of Ewing, was arrested on Monday, March 27 following an investigation conducted by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit and the Ewing Police Department. Police said he was released pending future court proceedings.

The victim, now an adult, reported the allegations to Ewing police at the end of 2022 and an investigation ensued. DePuglio is accused of having a sexual relationship with the victim while having supervisory or disciplinary power over her. The offenses occurred at DePuglio’s Ewing Township residence between 1998 and 2000, when he was actively employed as the victim’s teacher at Steinert High School.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Mercer County Prosecutor’s Detective Jonathan White at (609) 989-6399 or Ewing Detective Andrew Condrat at (609) 882-1313 ext. 7583.

Krystal Knapp

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Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.