Former Washington Township teacher accused of sexually assaulting student

A former Washington Township teacher has been charged with sexually assaulting a middle school student in the Gloucester County school system in 2021, authorities said Thursday.

Ashley A. Fisler, 36, of Washington Township, was charged Thursday with eight counts of sexual assault of a minor, endangering the welfare of a child, and official misconduct of a public servant, county Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns said.

The alleged victim, now an adult, came forward in January and disclosed the allegations, the prosecutor said. The alleged assaults occurred in 2021 when the victim was a student at Orchard Valley Middle School.

According to Johns, Fisler is no longer employed by the Washington Township school district or any school system. It was not known how long she had been a teacher.

In a statement, school Superintendent Eric M. Hibbs said the district was aware of the charges and was cooperating with law enforcement. Fisler left the district in April 2023, he said.

“We take matters involving the safety and well-being of our students extremely seriously,” Hibbs said.

The victim told investigators that the alleged sexual encounters occurred in Fisler’s classroom and in her vehicle, the prosecutor said. Authorities found text messages exchanged between the victim and Fisler “confirming the unlawful sexual nature of their relationship,” he said.

Fisler is in custody in the Salem County Jail, pending a first appearance court hearing Friday in Superior Court, the prosecutor’s office said.

If convicted, Fisler faces a maximum prison sentence of up to 20 years on each of six counts of sexual assault of a minor, and up to 10 years on each of the two remaining charges.