Morris Leader

Youth Coach/Substitute Teacher Charged with Sexual Assault

Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Rockaway Township Police Chief Martin McParland announce the arrest of Joseph Derose, Jr., age 27, of Rockaway Township, on sexual assault and related charges. It should be noted that the defendant is a substitute teacher at Catherine A. Dwyer Elementary School in Rockaway Township.

Derose Jr. has been charged on two separate complaints from Rockaway Township and Rockaway Borough. Each complaint charges the defendant with two counts of second degree Sexual Assault with supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim, one count of third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and two counts of fourth degree Criminal Sexual Contact.

It is alleged that Derose Jr. had a sexual relationship with the victim from May 2021 through January 2022 when the victim was 16 years-old and while the defendant was his baseball coach for various recreational and school-related teams during the specified time period. The alleged assaults took place at the defendant’s residence, victim’s residence, Oak Meadows Field, and Fitness Factory Gym. The relationship ended when the victim was 17.

Derose Jr. was arrested on the above charges on March 16, 2023. Following his arrest, he was lodged at the Morris County Correctional Facility pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act. A motion for Pretrial Detention was filed on this date and a Detention hearing will be held on March 22, 2023.

If anyone has any information related to this investigation, they are encouraged to call the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-285-6200.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

Original source can be found here.