NJ wrestling coach to be sentenced next week for sex crimes with minors
NEW BRUNSWICK – A former Sayreville teacher who coached wrestling at more than 20 schools and clubs throughout New Jersey is scheduled to be sentenced next week for sexual misconduct with minors.
John Denuto, of Spotswood, was set to be sentenced last Friday, but the proceeding was postponed due to issues raised by Denuto's new attorney.
During the brief court session before Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Thomas Abode, Denuto's attorney, Nicole Atlak, indicated some concerns about her client's evaluation.
The latest postponement follows Denuto's sentencing date being rescheduled numerous times since last fall.
Recent switches in the sentencing date may be linked to Denuto's change in attorneys. Denuto had been represented by attorney Wolodymyr Tyshcenko of the Caruso Smith Picini law firm in Fairfield. An obituary for Tyshchenko, 48, states he died unexpectedly on Feb. 20, 2024. Aflak works for the same law firm.
In April 2023 Denuto, a former Sayreville Middle School special education teacher, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, one count of third-degree endangering and one count of fourth-degree invasion of privacy.
As part of the plea deal Denuto is expected to face seven years in state prison, parole supervision for life and must register as a Megan's Law sex offender.
Denuto was arrested in February 2020 following an investigation that found he had criminal sexual contact with a juvenile and possessed sexually exploitive materials he created by filming and photographing the juvenile.
Court documents indicated Denuto abused a former middle school student during private coaching lessons at his home. The sexual assaults took place on more than one occasion when the student was between the ages of 13 and 15.
An investigation determined Denuto was in possession of additional child sexual exploitive materials unrelated to the juvenile and that he also photographed seven other victims’ intimate parts without their knowledge, and inappropriately touched five of those victims, authorities said.
Denuto was fired as Union County College’s head wrestling coach following his arrest.
Officials learned Denuto also allegedly sexually assaulted a former student in 2016 when he was living at the home of a Sayreville Board of Education member.
Court documents show nude videos of one of the victims was found on Denuto's cellphone which was searched after a warrant was obtained.
Denuto was indicted in April 2021 on four counts of endangering the welfare of a child in connection with filming and possessing child sexual exploitation material, six counts of aggravated criminal sexual contact and six counts of criminal sexual contact. In addition, he was indicted on eight counts of invasion of privacy, two counts of witness tampering and one count of hindering his apprehension.
Denuto had been associated with the Rhino's Wrestling Club in Morganville, CJA Wrestling Club in East Brunswick, Sayreville Middle School, The Peddie School in Hightstown, Union County College, Woodbridge and Old Bridge recreation programs as well as Pennsville, Raritan, St. John Vianney, Sayreville, Middletown North, Monroe, South Brunswick Saint Joseph (Montvale), Camden Catholic, Arthur L. Johnson, St. Thomas Aquinas, Woodbridge, Piscataway, Spotswood and Freehold Borough high schools.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ wrestling coach faces sentencing for sex crimes with minors
