A New Jersey middle school teacher was arrested two weeks ago over an alleged prostitution-related robbery in which a man told police he was restrained, subjected to sexual acts and robbed inside a casino hotel room.
The suspect was identified by the New Jersey Department of Corrections as Amanda Crafts, 35, of Wildwood Crest. Her LinkedIn profile lists her as a computer teacher at Middle Township Middle School.
Crafts’ friend, 23-year-old Veda Engel of Cape May, was also charged in connection with the Oct. 9 incident. Engel has previously faced prostitution-related allegations, including a case reported in December, according to Breaking AC.
Middle Township Middle School teacher Amanda Crafts was dismissed after allegedly helping hold a man down during a prostitution-related robbery at an Atlantic City casino hotel. (Google Maps)
Police said the victim first encountered the women at a bar inside an Atlantic City hotel resort, according to the outlet.
After exchanging phone numbers with Engel, the man later went to the women’s room, authorities said.
Once there, the victim alleged that the women removed his clothing and restrained him on the bed, Breaking AC reported.
According to the complaint, Engel then forced sexual acts on the man before stopping and telling him, “That’s what you get for $1,250,” the outlet reported.
While Crafts allegedly held the victim down, Engel used facial recognition to access his phone and completed four Apple Pay transactions to her account, totaling $1,250.
Two women were arrested in connection with an alleged prostitution-related robbery at an Atlantic City casino hotel on Oct. 9, 2026. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The victim told investigators that the payments were “made without his consent in exchange for sexual acts,” a detective wrote in affidavits, according to reports.
DON’T MISS: Ilhan Omar Laughs Off Media Scrutiny: ‘I Look Good’
At her initial court appearance, Crafts told a judge that she was a teacher and had never previously been arrested.
“I was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Crafts told Judge Timothy Maguire during a video appearance from the Atlantic County Justice Facility, according to reports.
Crafts said she has four children. The school’s website identifies her as a member of the special area department who teaches computer classes, the outlet reported.
Middle Township Public Schools acknowledged the teacher’s arrest in a statement released Oct. 19 and confirmed that she had been fired.
“Our responsibility is to protect our students, follow appropriate procedures, and ensure that those entrusted with caring for and educating our children meet the standards expected of them. The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority,” Superintendent Stephanie DeRose said.
Middle Township Public Schools announced the teacher’s termination in a message to the community, citing the safety and well-being of its students. (Middle Township School District/Facebook)
Engel is employed by SoFresh SoClean Commercial Cleaning in Ocean City, her attorney said, according to Breaking AC.
The Atlantic City case was not Engel’s first encounter with police over alleged prostitution activity. Last year, she allegedly offered sex to an undercover New Jersey State Police detective for $1,000 at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa.
She was reportedly released at that time on a summons.
Engel and Crafts were both released Oct. 15 after being held for nearly a week, according to reports. The state consented to their pretrial release, which requires them to check in with the court every other week.
