Ex-Teacher Accused of Sex Assault Has Bail Lowered

A former Montville teacher accused of sexually assaulting five young girls could be released on bail after his bail amount was lowered this week, according to The Star-Ledger.

Jason Fennes, 37, of Bloomfield, was indicted last month on several sex assault charges relating to relationships he allegedly had while working as a first grade teacher in Montville and as an assistant track coach in Butler.

He was indicted on three counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault; eight counts of second-degree sexual assault and four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child for the Montville incidents involving four former students. Additionally, he was indicted on three counts of first-degree sexual assault; three counts of second-degree sexual assault and counts of endangering the welfare of a child based on charges that accuse Fennes of beginning a sexual relationship with a Butler student in 1997, according to Morris County Acting Prosecutor Fredric Knapp.

Fennes has been jailed in lieu of $225,000 bail, but a Superior Court judge lowered the bail to $150,000, with Fennes expected to post his parents' Cranford house, which has about $172,000 in equity, up for his release, according to the newspaper.