Middletown Coach Released After Student Sexual Assault Charges

ByEthan Pineridge

A Middletown High School North girls’ basketball coach and physical education teacher charged with sexually assaulting a student has been released from jail with conditions, according to court officials. Justin McGhee, 35, who had been held at the Monmouth County jail since his January 28 arrest, was freed following a detention hearing on Thursday.

McGhee faces second-degree charges of sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child in connection with allegations involving a student from the high school where he has taught and coached for eight years. According to NJ.com, the judge ordered McGhee to have no contact with the alleged victim or her family.

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Strict Release Conditions Imposed

The court placed significant restrictions on McGhee as conditions of his release. He must stay away from Middletown High School North and is prohibited from attending any school-related activity or any event involving children, a spokesman for the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed.

These conditions reflect the serious nature of the charges against the Ocean Township resident, who had been a celebrated figure in the school’s athletic program. A date for McGhee’s pre-indictment conference has not yet been announced by court officials.

“The safety of students remains our primary concern as this case moves forward through the legal system,” a law enforcement source familiar with the case stated. The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office is handling the investigation to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

Investigation Timeline Revealed

According to New Jersey 101.5, investigators from the prosecutor’s office and Middletown police allege that McGhee engaged in sexual acts with a victim younger than 18 beginning late last year. Court documents indicate the student was between 16 and 17 years old at the time of the alleged incidents.

The investigation began in December when Middletown police received an initial tip suggesting McGhee was having a sexual relationship with a student, though this report allegedly did not identify the specific student. On January 26, school officials informed police that the district had received an email containing similar allegations against McGhee.

Law enforcement subsequently identified and interviewed the teenager and her parents. Court documents reveal that McGhee later admitted to sexually assaulting the girl in the basement of his Ocean Township home, according to the affidavit of probable cause. The complaint notes that the girl is a student in the district and knew McGhee in his capacity as a teacher.

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Professional Status and Community Impact

McGhee has been placed on administrative leave by Middletown High School North following his arrest, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago confirmed. His coaching and teaching duties have been suspended pending the outcome of the case.

Beyond his role at the high school, where he served as the head girls’ basketball coach for eight years and as an assistant football coach, McGhee was also associated with NJ Shoreshots Girls AAU, a club basketball team. A team spokesperson confirmed to New Jersey 101.5 that McGhee had been fired from this position as of Wednesday.

The case has sent shockwaves through the Middletown community, where McGhee was known as a successful coach who had built strong relationships with players and parents. The girls’ basketball program at Middletown North had seen significant improvement under his leadership over the past eight seasons.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities are continuing to investigate McGhee’s activities and have urged anyone with relevant information to come forward. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office has established dedicated channels for reporting, directing individuals to contact Detective David Sidorakis at 800-533-7443 or Middletown Detective Ricardo Cruz at 732-615-2120.

The charges against McGhee highlight ongoing concerns about educator-student relationships and the safeguards necessary to protect young people in educational settings. Second-degree charges in New Jersey typically carry potential sentences of 5-10 years in state prison if convicted.

School district officials have declined to comment further on the case, citing the ongoing investigation and privacy concerns for all parties involved. The district has reportedly made counseling services available to students who may be affected by the allegations and subsequent events.

McGhee’s attorney has not issued any public statements regarding the charges or the conditions of his client’s release as the case proceeds toward possible indictment.

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