Newark – Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced today that John Kane, 39, of Sparta, has been charged with four counts of sexual assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. It is alleged that Kane, a former wrestling coach at Newark Academy in Livingston, sexually assaulted the 15-year-old victim…

What happened

Newark – Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N.

It is alleged that Kane, a former wrestling coach at Newark Academy in Livingston, sexually assaulted the 15-year-old victim on April 26, 2026.

Key details

The complaint alleges that the defendant transported the victim to the parking lot at the St.

Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston where the sexual assault took place.

The victim is not a student at Newark Academy.

This investigation is active and ongoing.

These are merely accusations.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

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Background and context

Kane was previously involved with the Livingston Youth Wrestling Program, the West Essex Regional School District, the Township of Livingston, and The Work Family Connection, an after-school program, that services Morris, Warren, Union, Somerset, and Hunterdon Counties.

What happens next

All calls will remain confidential.

Legal note: Charges and allegations are accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Source and attribution: Jersey Alerts reviewed the primary official release from Essex County Prosecutor and any additional sources identified above. Names, dates, figures, quotations, claims and characterizations remain attributed to their cited source unless Jersey Alerts states that they were independently confirmed.

Read the official release