PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Another New Jersey teacher has been charged with unwanted sexual advances against a student in what is sadly becoming a growing trend in the Garden State.
This time, a Parsippany High School social studies teacher has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child following an investigation into alleged inappropriate online conversations with a 14-year-old student, authorities said.
He was the coach for the boys soccer team, named coach of the year in Morris County in 2018. He also serves as an assistant coach for the Drew University women’s soccer team. The university has not commented on the arrest.
The Parsippany Troy Hills School District has also not commented.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll announced that James Wiegand, 43, of Sparta, was charged on March 13 with one count of endangering the welfare of a child, a third-degree crime under New Jersey law.
The investigation began in November 2024, when a school administrator reported concerns to the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. Authorities allege Wiegand used Instagram to send sexual and suggestive messages to the student between September and November 2024.
Wiegand has been suspended from his teaching position. Following his arrest, he was released under pre-trial supervision with conditions, including no contact with the victim and no unsupervised contact with minor children.
His next court appearance is scheduled for April 21, 2025, before Judge Robert Hanna in Morris County Superior Court.
The investigation was conducted by the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit.
Authorities encourage anyone with information related to the case to contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office or the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department.